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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For half a decade, the establishment on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, walkers are directed through narrow walkways, and businesses have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now frustrated 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 "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be removed.

The city's political leader a city representative has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the former local government offices in 2009.

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

Work on the building got underway soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the corner of the historic street have been closed off by the project.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been compelled single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a popular spot quit the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its operators said the ongoing project had compelled them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has displayed large signs on the framework to notify customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a city committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, pointing to "extremely complex" structural challenges for the setback.

"We expect starting to dismantle sections of the framework close to the conclusion of 2026, with further improvements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an improved site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of conservation group the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to integrate it into the urban landscape or develop something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They continued: "We understand the irritations felt by the community and businesses.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the intricacy and scale of the restoration required, however we are committed to concluding this vital work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I share the annoyance of residents and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the contractor has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."