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Along the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, walkers are squeezed through narrow walkways, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be taken down.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

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

Figures from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Remedial efforts got underway not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been closed off by the work.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been required one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant departed from the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said construction activity had forced them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts popular eatery Pizza Express – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a local authority committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "exposing" the façade would start in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is not the case, pointing to "extremely complex" structural challenges for the setback.

"We project starting to dismantle sections of the framework towards the end of 2026, with further improvements ongoing after that," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an improved site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

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

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to reduce disturbance and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the urban landscape or produce something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We recognize the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

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

Ms Meagher said the city would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the annoyance of residents and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also recognize that the contractor has a duty to make the building safe and that this remediation has been exceptionally difficult."