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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's historic capital sits a monolith of construction framework.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors find no available accommodations, foot traffic are funneled through confined passages, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be removed.

The city's political leader a council official has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Projections from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Remedial efforts got underway soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of pavement leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been compelled in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot quit the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said building work had obliged them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of popular eatery a chain – which has hung large signs on the structure to remind customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year stated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, pointing to "extremely complex" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We expect starting to remove parts of the scaffold towards the end of the coming year, with additional work continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an better site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, director of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

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

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

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to incorporate it within the streetscape or create something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

They added: "We recognize the frustrations felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, reflecting the intricacy and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are committed to finishing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I share the exasperation of locals and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also acknowledge that the company has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."