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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's ancient city stands a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, foot traffic are funneled through confined passages, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be dismantled.

A local authority figure a council official has described it as a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

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

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

Work on the building started soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the development.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been required single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery Ondine departed from the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its management said construction activity had forced them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to popular eatery a chain – which has displayed large signs on the framework to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a local authority committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would start in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, referencing "highly complicated" construction issues for the setback.

"We project starting to remove sections of the framework towards the end of next year, with additional work ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an enhanced site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, head of preservation association 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 "civic responsibility" to reduce disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to bring it into the streetscape or develop something more creative and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They stated: "We understand the annoyances felt by the community and shops.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the intricacy and size of the remedial work required, however we are focused on finishing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the council would "maintain pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

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

"However, I also appreciate that the firm has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has been exceptionally difficult."