🔗 Share this article

Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's historic capital looms a monolith of scaffolding.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are directed through confined passages, and businesses have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

Work on the building got underway shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the historic street have been left out of action by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been forced one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a well-known restaurant departed from the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said building work had forced them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to dining franchise a chain – which has placed large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a local authority committee in January this year stated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, referencing "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to remove sections of the scaffold near the finish of next year, with additional work continuing thereafter," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, lead of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

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

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that area of the city very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to integrate it into the streetscape or develop something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We recognize the frustrations felt by the community and shops.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the complexity and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to completing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the city would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I share the frustration of inhabitants and area enterprises over these continued delays.

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