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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's historic capital stands a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists find no available accommodations, walkers are funneled through tight corridors, and establishments have left the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

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

Work on the building began shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been closed off by the project.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been forced in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant Ondine left the building and moved to another city in 2024.

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

It is also home to dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large signs on the scaffold to notify customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a city committee in January this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would begin in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, referencing "highly complicated" building problems for the setback.

"We project starting to take down sections of the framework towards the end of next year, with additional work ongoing after that," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

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

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the urban landscape or produce something more artistic and innovative."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We understand the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and scale of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to completing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the annoyance of inhabitants and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the firm has a duty to make the building secure and that this restoration has proved to be extremely complicated."