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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors cannot book rooms, foot traffic are directed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be taken down.

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

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

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

Projections from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity started soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been forced one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment Ondine departed from the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its management said construction activity had forced them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large signs on the structure to inform customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the frontage would commence in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, referencing "highly complicated" building problems for the setback.

"We project starting to dismantle sections of the scaffold towards the end of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an better site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, lead of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that part of town very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to incorporate it within the street view or develop something more aesthetic and innovative."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We understand the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the complexity and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are focused on finishing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I share the annoyance of residents and local businesses over these continued delays.

"That said, I also appreciate that the company has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."