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On one of the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

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

Travellers find no available accommodations, foot traffic are squeezed through narrow walkways, and businesses have left the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be removed.

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

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Work on the building started not long 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 footpath leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been required one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment Ondine left the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its owners said the ongoing project had forced them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has placed large notices on the framework to remind customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

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

But the firm has said that will not happen, pointing to "extremely complex" construction issues for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to remove parts of the structure towards the end of next year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to minimise disturbance and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that part of town very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to integrate it into the streetscape or develop something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

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

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

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, reflecting the difficulty and size of the repair work required, however we are committed to concluding this essential work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I echo the frustration of residents and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"However, I also recognize that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this remediation has turned out to be hugely complex."