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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, the establishment on the junction of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, pedestrians are directed through tight corridors, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Work on the building started shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the development.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been compelled in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant Ondine departed from the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said building work had obliged them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts popular eatery a chain – which has placed large banners on the framework to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year stated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, citing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle parts of the structure towards the end of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, lead of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce disturbance and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that part of town very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to bring it into the urban landscape or develop something more creative and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the complexity and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are focused on concluding this vital work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the council would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I understand the frustration of inhabitants and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the firm has a duty to make the building secure and that this repair has turned out to be extremely complicated."