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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are funneled through narrow walkways, and establishments have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be taken down.

The city's political leader a city representative has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

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

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

Remedial efforts got underway shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the corner of the historic street have been closed off by the work.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been forced in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant Ondine quit the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its management said the ongoing project had forced them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has placed large signs on the structure to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

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

"We project starting to take down portions of the structure near the finish of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an improved site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, head of conservation group the a local 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 "obligation to the public" to reduce inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that part of town really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to bring it into the streetscape or create something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They added: "We recognize the annoyances felt by the community and enterprises.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the complexity and size of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to completing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I understand the exasperation of locals and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also recognize that the contractor has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has been hugely complex."