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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city stands a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers find no available accommodations, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Work on the building started soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the work.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been compelled one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery Ondine left the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its operators said building work had compelled them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of popular eatery Pizza Express – which has placed large signs on the framework to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would commence in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We project starting to take down sections of the structure close to the conclusion of next year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an improved site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, head of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that area of the city really difficult.

"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 company representative said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We recognize the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the complexity and scale of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to completing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I share the frustration of residents and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also recognize that the contractor has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has turned out to be extremely complicated."