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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a imposing sight of construction framework.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, foot traffic are squeezed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building began not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the project.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been forced single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant departed from the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its owners said construction activity had obliged them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts dining franchise Pizza Express – which has hung large signs on the framework to remind customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a city committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, pointing to "extremely complex" construction issues for the delay.

"We expect starting to take down sections of the scaffold close to the conclusion of 2026, with additional work continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

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

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to minimise disruption and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to integrate it into the streetscape or develop something more artistic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They stated: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the complexity and scale of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to completing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I understand the frustration of locals and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"However, I also appreciate that the firm has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has been hugely complex."