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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's historic capital sits a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, the establishment on the intersection of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are funneled through confined passages, and businesses have vacated the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be dismantled.

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

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building began not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the work.

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

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

In a statement, its owners said construction activity had compelled them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to restaurant chain a chain – which has placed large banners on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a local authority committee in early this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would start in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, citing "extremely complex" building problems for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to take down portions of the scaffold towards the end of the coming year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an enhanced site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, director of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to lessen disturbance and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to integrate it into the urban landscape or develop something more artistic and avant-garde."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We recognize the annoyances felt by the community and shops.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the difficulty and scale of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to completing this essential work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

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

"That said, I also recognize that the firm has a duty to make the building secure and that this remediation has been exceptionally difficult."