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

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists cannot book rooms, foot traffic are directed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be removed.

The city's political leader a city representative has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about a significant sum.

Work on the building got underway soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the junction of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the project.

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

Seafood restaurant Ondine departed from the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its management said building work had forced them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of popular eatery a chain – which has displayed large notices on the framework to remind customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

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

But SRM has said that is not the case, pointing to "extremely complex" building problems for the setback.

"We expect starting to remove parts of the scaffold near the finish of next year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an better site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, head of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen disruption and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that section very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to incorporate it within the street view or develop something more creative and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We recognize the annoyances felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the complexity and size of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to concluding this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I echo the frustration of residents and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also acknowledge that the firm has a obligation to make the building secure and that this restoration has turned out to be extremely complicated."