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Along the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's ancient city stands a giant structure of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

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

Remedial work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about a significant sum.

Work on the building got underway soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of pavement leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been forced single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant Ondine left the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said construction activity had compelled them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts restaurant chain a chain – which has placed large notices on the structure to remind customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a local authority committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would commence in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, referencing "extremely complex" construction issues for the postponement.

"We expect starting to remove portions of the structure towards the end of 2026, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an enhanced site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce disruption and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that part of town very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to incorporate it within the street view or create something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

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

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the complexity and size of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I echo the annoyance of inhabitants and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the company has a duty to make the building safe and that this restoration has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."