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Along the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a giant structure of construction framework.

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

Tourists find no available accommodations, pedestrians are squeezed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, 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 earliest portions of the frame can be removed.

A local authority figure a city representative has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Figures from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Construction activity started soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of footpath leading up to the junction of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the development.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been forced in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a well-known restaurant left the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said building work had forced them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has hung large signs on the framework to inform customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a city committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "uncovering" 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" structural challenges for the delay.

"We project starting to take down parts of the scaffold near the finish of 2026, with further improvements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an improved site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, director of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise disruption and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to bring it into the street view or develop something more creative and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "measures to beautify the site" was in progress.

They added: "We understand the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the complexity and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are focused on concluding this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I echo the exasperation of residents and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the firm has a duty to make the building secure and that this repair has proved to be hugely complex."