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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's historic capital stands a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

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

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

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be taken down.

The city's political leader a city representative has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

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

Projections from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building started shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of footpath leading up to the junction of the historic street have been left out of action by the development.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been forced single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant left the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

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

It is also hosts restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has hung large notices on the framework to inform customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a local authority committee in January this year suggested that the process of "exposing" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, pointing to "extremely complex" building problems for the postponement.

"We project starting to remove sections of the framework close to the conclusion of 2026, with further improvements ongoing after that," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an improved 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 "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to minimise disruption and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that area of the city very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the urban landscape or develop something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

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

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

"This has been a extended and complex process, demonstrating the difficulty and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are focused on concluding this necessary work as soon as is possible."

The official said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I echo the exasperation of inhabitants and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also acknowledge that the company has a duty to make the building secure and that this repair has proved to be exceptionally difficult."