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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the intersection of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers find no available accommodations, foot traffic are squeezed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be taken down.

A local authority figure a city representative has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Projections from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts got underway soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the work.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been forced one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a popular spot left the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

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

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

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a city committee in January this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the façade would start in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

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

"We expect starting to remove portions of the framework towards the end of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

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

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disturbance and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that section really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to bring it into the streetscape or create something more creative and avant-garde."

Project Response

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

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

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the intricacy and scale of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I share the frustration of residents and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a obligation to make the building secure and that this remediation has proved to be hugely complex."