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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's historic capital looms a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, the establishment on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are funneled through confined passages, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be taken down.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Remedial efforts got underway soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of footpath leading up to the corner of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been required single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot departed from the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

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

It is also the location of restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has hung large banners on the structure to notify customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a city committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "revealing" the façade would start in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the firm has said that will not happen, referencing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We expect starting to dismantle parts of the structure near the finish of 2026, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we create an improved site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to integrate it into the urban landscape or create something more creative and avant-garde."

Project Response

A official statement said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They stated: "We understand the irritations felt by local residents and shops.

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the intricacy and scale of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this vital work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I understand the exasperation of locals and local businesses over these continued delays.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the company has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."