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Along the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's ancient city sits a giant structure of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the intersection of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors find no available accommodations, foot traffic are squeezed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader 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?

Background Issues

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

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

Construction activity started shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been closed off by the work.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been forced single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

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

In a release, its operators said the ongoing project had forced them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large signs on the scaffold to remind customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a city committee in early this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would begin in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, citing "highly complicated" construction issues for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle parts of the scaffold near the finish of 2026, with further improvements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we create an improved site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

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

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

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

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to integrate it into the streetscape or create something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

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

They continued: "We understand the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the intricacy and scale of the repair work required, however we are committed to concluding this essential work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the annoyance of locals and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also appreciate that the firm has a duty to make the building safe and that this remediation has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."