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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's historic capital stands a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the intersection of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are funneled through narrow walkways, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Repair work began 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.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was built on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Remedial efforts began shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

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

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been forced single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment Ondine departed from the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said the ongoing project had obliged them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to notify customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a local authority committee in January this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, citing "highly complicated" construction issues for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle sections of the structure near the finish of next year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, lead of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that part of town really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to bring it into the street view or create something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

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

They added: "We recognize the annoyances felt by local residents and businesses.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the intricacy and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are committed to concluding this essential work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the frustration of inhabitants and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this remediation has proved to be exceptionally difficult."