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Along the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the junction of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors cannot book rooms, foot traffic are squeezed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have left the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has described it as a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

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

Figures from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Construction activity got underway shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been forced in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

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

In a statement, its owners said building work had compelled them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has placed large banners on the framework to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a city committee in January this year stated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, citing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement.

"We expect starting to take down parts of the structure near the finish of next year, with additional work continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

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

"I don't understand why there is not a try to incorporate it within the urban landscape or produce something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They stated: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by the community and businesses.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, demonstrating the complexity and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are focused on completing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I echo the exasperation of locals and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the company has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has proved to be exceptionally difficult."