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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's historic capital stands a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For half a decade, the establishment on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are funneled through tight corridors, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

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

Estimates from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Construction activity got underway soon 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 footpath leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been required single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment Ondine departed from the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said the ongoing project had forced them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts popular eatery Pizza Express – which has placed large notices on the framework to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a city committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would start in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

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

"We anticipate starting to take down sections of the structure near the finish of 2026, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, director of preservation association the an advocacy group, 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 lessen disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that section exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to incorporate it within the urban landscape or produce something more artistic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

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

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

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the difficulty and scale of the repair work required, however we are committed to finishing this essential work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the city would "maintain pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I echo the annoyance of locals and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the company has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has been hugely complex."