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Along the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's ancient city stands a monolith of construction framework.

For half a decade, the establishment on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers cannot book rooms, foot traffic are directed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has called it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was built on the site of the former local government offices in 2009.

Projections from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity got underway soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the work.

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

An eatery Ondine quit the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said building work had obliged them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has placed large notices on the structure to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "uncovering" the façade would commence in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, citing "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We project starting to remove portions of the scaffold close to the conclusion of 2026, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that area of the city really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to integrate it into the streetscape or develop something more creative and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "ideas to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

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

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the intricacy and scale of the repair work required, however we are committed to finishing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

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

"That said, I also recognize that the firm has a obligation to make the building safe and that this remediation has been hugely complex."