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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a giant structure of construction framework.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the intersection of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers find no available accommodations, pedestrians are directed through confined passages, and businesses have left the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

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

Figures from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Work on the building started not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the work.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been compelled in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot departed from the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

In a release, its owners said construction activity had compelled them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has placed large notices on the structure to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in January this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the façade would start in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, referencing "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the postponement.

"We project starting to dismantle sections of the framework near the finish of next year, with additional work proceeding afterwards," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to minimise disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that section very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the urban landscape or develop something more artistic and avant-garde."

Project Response

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

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

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the difficulty and size of the restoration required, however we are focused on concluding this vital work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I understand the annoyance of inhabitants and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a obligation to make the building secure and that this remediation has proved to be exceptionally difficult."