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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

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

Visitors find no available accommodations, foot traffic are directed through confined passages, and businesses have vacated the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

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

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

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

Figures from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts began soon 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 junction of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the development.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been forced one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant departed from the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said the ongoing project had compelled them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts popular eatery Pizza Express – which has hung large banners on the structure to remind customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "exposing" the façade would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, referencing "highly complicated" building problems for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to take down sections of the framework near the finish of the coming year, with additional work continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an better site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, director of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to minimise inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to integrate it into the streetscape or create something more artistic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They stated: "We recognize the frustrations felt by the community and businesses.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the complexity and size of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to finishing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader 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 echo the frustration of inhabitants and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"However, I also appreciate that the contractor has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has been exceptionally difficult."