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On one of the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's historic capital sits a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the intersection of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, walkers are directed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be dismantled.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

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

Estimates from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts began not long after the start of the global health crisis 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 Royal Mile have been left out of action by the project.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been compelled in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery Ondine quit the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

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

It is also the location of restaurant chain a chain – which has placed large banners on the structure to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a local authority committee in January this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is not the case, citing "extremely complex" construction issues for the setback.

"We project starting to remove sections of the framework towards the end of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, director of preservation association the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

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

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that section exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the street view or produce something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

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

They stated: "We understand the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the difficulty and scale of the remedial work required, however we are focused on finishing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

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

"That said, I also recognize that the firm has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has proved to be extremely complicated."