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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's historic capital looms a imposing sight of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the junction of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists cannot book rooms, pedestrians are funneled through tight corridors, and businesses have left the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity started shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

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

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been compelled in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a popular spot left the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said building work had compelled them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has displayed large banners on the structure to remind customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a city committee in early this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the façade would commence in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, pointing to "highly complicated" construction issues for the postponement.

"We project 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 all parties to ensure we create an improved site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

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

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to bring it into the urban landscape or create something more artistic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They added: "We recognize the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This represents a extended and complex process, reflecting the complexity and size of the repair work required, however we are committed to concluding this essential work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I echo the exasperation of inhabitants and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"However, I also recognize that the contractor has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has been hugely complex."