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Along the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's ancient city looms a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the corner of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are funneled through confined passages, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be removed.

The city's political leader a council official has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was built on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Projections from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about a significant sum.

Work on the building began shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been forced single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant left the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its management said construction activity had compelled them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

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

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a local authority committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "revealing" the exterior would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is not the case, citing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to remove portions of the framework towards the end of the coming year, with additional work continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an better site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that section really difficult.

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

Project Response

A company representative said work on "measures to beautify the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We understand the annoyances felt by the community and enterprises.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the difficulty and size of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to completing this essential work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I understand the frustration of locals and local businesses over these continued delays.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this restoration has been hugely complex."