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Along the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a monolith of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, walkers are squeezed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has described it as a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

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

Estimates from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts started soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch 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 Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been forced single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a well-known restaurant left the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its management said building work had compelled them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to restaurant chain a chain – which has hung large signs on the framework to remind customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

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

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

"We anticipate starting to take down sections of the framework close to the conclusion of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, director of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to reduce inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

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

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the street view or produce something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We recognize the irritations felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, demonstrating the difficulty and scale of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this vital work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the annoyance of locals and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the firm has a duty to make the building secure and that this repair has been hugely complex."