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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's ancient city stands a monolith of construction framework.

For five years, the establishment on the intersection of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors find no available accommodations, walkers are squeezed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be removed.

The city's political leader a city representative has called it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

Figures from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts started not long after the start of the global health crisis 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 Royal Mile have been closed off by the development.

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

Seafood restaurant a popular spot left the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its management said construction activity had forced them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to popular eatery Pizza Express – which has placed large notices on the scaffold to remind customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

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

But SRM has said that is not the case, citing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the delay.

"We expect starting to remove portions of the structure near the finish of 2026, with additional work ongoing after that," the company commented.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disruption and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that section very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the street view or develop something more creative and avant-garde."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "measures to beautify the site" was in progress.

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

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

Ms Meagher said the city would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

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

"However, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has been hugely complex."