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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a monolith of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the intersection of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

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

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be removed.

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

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

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

Figures from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Construction activity started soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the project.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been forced in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant Ondine left the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

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

It is also hosts popular eatery a chain – which has placed large signs on the scaffold to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a city committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would commence 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" building problems for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to take down parts of the scaffold close to the conclusion of 2026, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an better site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of conservation group the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

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

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

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to bring it into the street view or create something more creative and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

They stated: "We recognize the frustrations felt by the community and shops.

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the intricacy and size of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to finishing this essential work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I echo the frustration of locals and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the company has a duty to make the building secure and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."