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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a monolith of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

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

Remedial work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts began shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been forced single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant left the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said construction activity had compelled them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts restaurant chain a chain – which has displayed large banners on the framework to notify customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a city committee in early this year stated that the process of "revealing" the façade would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is not the case, referencing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the delay.

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

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to lessen disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that section very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to integrate it into the streetscape or create something more creative and innovative."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This has been a extended and complex process, highlighting the intricacy and size of the repair work required, however we are focused on concluding this necessary work as soon as is possible."

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

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

"That said, I also recognize that the firm has a obligation to make the building secure and that this remediation has been exceptionally difficult."