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On one of the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a giant structure of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, walkers are directed through tight corridors, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Work on the building started not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the project.

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

An eatery Ondine left the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said construction activity had obliged them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to dining franchise a chain – which has hung large notices on the structure to inform customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a city committee in early this year stated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would start in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, citing "highly complicated" building problems for the delay.

"We project starting to take down sections of the scaffold near the finish of the coming year, with further improvements ongoing after that," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of heritage body the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that section exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the street view or develop something more creative and avant-garde."

Continued Work

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

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

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, highlighting the difficulty and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this essential work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the company has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this remediation has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."