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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits a monolith of construction framework.

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

Travellers cannot book rooms, foot traffic are squeezed through confined passages, and businesses have left the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

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

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 seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Remedial efforts started soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

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

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been forced in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery Ondine quit the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its management said the ongoing project had obliged them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has hung large banners on the framework to notify customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in January this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the façade would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, referencing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the setback.

"We expect starting to dismantle parts of the scaffold towards the end of next year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an better site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of preservation association the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

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

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

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the urban landscape or create something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A official statement said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They added: "We recognize the irritations felt by the community and shops.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the difficulty and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to completing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

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

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