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On one of the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors cannot book rooms, pedestrians are squeezed through tight corridors, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be dismantled.

The city's political leader a council official has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Work on the building 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 sidewalk leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been closed off by the project.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been compelled one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment Ondine departed from the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its management said building work had obliged them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of dining franchise Pizza Express – which has hung large banners on the structure to remind customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "revealing" the frontage would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But SRM has said that will not happen, pointing to "extremely complex" construction issues for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle portions of the scaffold towards the end of 2026, with additional work ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we create an improved site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of conservation group the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It is making the pedestrian experience in that section very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to integrate it into the streetscape or create something more creative and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They continued: "We recognize the annoyances felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the complexity and scale of the restoration required, however we are focused on finishing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

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

"That said, I also appreciate that the company has a obligation to make the building secure and that this repair has proved to be exceptionally difficult."