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Along the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors find no available accommodations, walkers are funneled through narrow walkways, and businesses have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be taken down.

The city's political leader a council official has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

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

Projections from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building got underway shortly 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 footpath leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the project.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been required one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment Ondine left the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said the ongoing project had forced them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large signs on the framework to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a local authority committee in early this year stated that the process of "revealing" the façade would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is not the case, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to remove portions of the scaffold towards the end of next year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, lead of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce disturbance and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that area of the city really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the streetscape or develop something more creative and innovative."

Project Response

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

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

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the intricacy and size of the repair work required, however we are committed to finishing this vital work as soon as is practicable."

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

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I share the annoyance of locals and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also recognize that the company has a duty to make the building safe and that this restoration has proved to be extremely complicated."