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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a imposing sight of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Travellers find no available accommodations, walkers are directed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be removed.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts started soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of footpath leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the development.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been required in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment Ondine departed from the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its owners said the ongoing project had obliged them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has placed large banners on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would start in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, citing "highly complicated" building problems for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to take down parts of the scaffold near the finish of 2026, with further improvements ongoing after that," a statement read.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an improved site for the community."

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 construction projects.

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

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

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

Project Response

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

They added: "We recognize the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the difficulty and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to completing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I share the exasperation of residents and local businesses over these continued delays.

"However, I also recognize that the company has a obligation to make the building secure and that this repair has been extremely complicated."