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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a monolith of construction framework.

For five years, the establishment on the corner of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are directed through tight corridors, and establishments have left the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council 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 started soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the corner 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 required single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant left the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its management said building work had obliged them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts dining franchise a chain – which has displayed large notices on the structure to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a local authority committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, citing "highly complicated" construction issues for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to take down parts of the framework towards the end of next year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an enhanced site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that part of town really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the street view or produce something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They added: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by the community and businesses.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the complexity and size of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this vital work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

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

"That said, I also appreciate that the contractor has a obligation to make the building secure and that this repair has turned out to be extremely complicated."