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Along the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's historic capital stands a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

Projections from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

Work on the building began shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the historic street have been closed off by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been compelled in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a well-known restaurant departed from the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its management said construction activity had obliged them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a city committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would commence in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is not the case, pointing to "highly complicated" construction issues for the postponement.

"We expect starting to remove portions of the scaffold near the finish of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," they said.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an better site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to lessen disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

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

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to bring it into the urban landscape or develop something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

They added: "We recognize the frustrations felt by the community and businesses.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, highlighting the difficulty and scale of the remedial work required, however we are committed to finishing this vital work as soon as is possible."

The official said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the frustration of inhabitants and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also recognize that the contractor has a duty to make the building secure and that this restoration has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."