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Along the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's historic capital looms a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, the establishment on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists cannot book rooms, walkers are squeezed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be dismantled.

The city's political leader a city representative has called it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

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

Projections from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded 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 not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of pavement leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been compelled single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery a well-known restaurant departed from the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its management said the ongoing project had forced them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of dining franchise a chain – which has hung large signs on the structure to remind customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An report to the a city committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would commence in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, pointing to "extremely complex" building problems for the postponement.

"We project starting to remove sections of the structure close to the conclusion of the coming year, with additional work ongoing after that," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we create an improved site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to lessen disruption and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the pedestrian experience in that area of the city very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to bring it into the urban landscape or produce something more creative and innovative."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

They continued: "We recognize the irritations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and scale of the remedial work required, however we are committed to completing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the annoyance of locals and local businesses over these continued delays.

"That said, I also recognize that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this restoration has proved to be exceptionally difficult."