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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's ancient city sits a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the corner of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through confined passages, and establishments have left the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

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

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

Remedial efforts began soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the historic street have been left out of action by the work.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been forced one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment Ondine departed from the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its management said construction activity had forced them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has hung large signs on the structure to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a city committee in early this 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" building problems for the delay.

"We project starting to dismantle sections of the structure towards the end of 2026, with further improvements ongoing after that," a statement read.

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

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 "leisurely" for urban works.

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

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that part of town very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the streetscape or produce something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A official statement said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

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

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the intricacy and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I share the exasperation of locals and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the firm has a obligation to make the building secure and that this repair has been extremely complicated."