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On one of the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's historic capital looms a monolith of construction framework.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the intersection of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors find no available accommodations, pedestrians are directed through tight corridors, and establishments have left the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be dismantled.

A local authority figure a council official has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

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

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

Construction activity 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 pavement leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the project.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been forced single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a well-known restaurant departed from the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its operators said the ongoing project had obliged them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts popular eatery Pizza Express – which has hung large notices on the framework to inform customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in January this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But SRM has said that will not happen, referencing "extremely complex" building problems for the setback.

"We expect starting to remove portions of the structure close to the conclusion of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce disruption and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to integrate it into the street view or produce something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We understand the annoyances felt by local residents and businesses.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the difficulty and scale of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

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

"However, I also recognize that the company has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has proved to be hugely complex."