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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

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

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are directed through tight corridors, and businesses have vacated the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be removed.

A local authority figure a council official has called it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

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

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Remedial efforts got underway shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the corner of the historic street have been closed off by the work.

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

Seafood restaurant a popular spot left the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its management said the ongoing project had forced them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large signs on the scaffold to remind customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "uncovering" the façade would start in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, citing "extremely complex" construction issues for the postponement.

"We expect starting to remove portions of the structure near the finish of the coming year, with additional work continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we create an improved site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of preservation association the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

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

She said: "It is making the pedestrian experience in that part of town very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to bring it into the street view or create something more artistic and innovative."

Project Response

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

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

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the intricacy and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are committed to concluding this essential work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

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

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