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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of scaffolding.

For five years, the establishment on the junction of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, foot traffic are funneled through confined passages, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be taken down.

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

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building got underway soon 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 Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the project.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been forced single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a popular spot quit the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its management said the ongoing project had obliged them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

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

Missed Deadlines

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is not the case, pointing to "extremely complex" construction issues for the postponement.

"We expect starting to remove portions of the structure near the finish of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, lead of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

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

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that part of town really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to integrate it into the street view or produce something more artistic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

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

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, demonstrating the difficulty and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I understand the exasperation of residents and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the contractor has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."