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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a imposing sight of scaffolding.

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.

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

Remedial work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Remedial efforts started shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the corner of the historic street have been left out of action by the project.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been forced one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

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

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

It is also the location of restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has hung large signs on the structure to inform customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a city committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "revealing" the frontage would start in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

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

"We anticipate starting to take down parts of the structure towards the end of 2026, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we create an improved site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, director of preservation association the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disruption and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that section very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to bring it into the streetscape or produce something more creative and innovative."

Project Response

A official statement said work on "ideas to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We recognize the frustrations felt by local residents and businesses.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the intricacy and size of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the exasperation of residents and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."