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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's ancient city stands a giant structure of construction framework.

For half a decade, the establishment on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, foot traffic are directed through confined passages, and businesses have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Construction activity got underway soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the work.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been forced one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment Ondine quit the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said the ongoing project had forced them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts popular eatery Pizza Express – which has placed large banners on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would begin in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is not the case, citing "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the setback.

"We project starting to remove sections of the framework close to the conclusion of 2026, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," a statement read.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we create an enhanced site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, head of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to lessen disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that area of the city very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to integrate it into the streetscape or produce something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We recognize the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the complexity and scale of the repair work required, however we are committed to concluding this necessary work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I echo the exasperation of residents and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also recognize that the company has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."