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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, the establishment on the corner of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are directed through narrow walkways, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has called it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

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

Figures from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about a significant sum.

Construction activity began soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been compelled in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a popular spot quit the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its management said construction activity had compelled them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has displayed large banners on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "exposing" the frontage would begin in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, referencing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to take down parts of the scaffold close to the conclusion of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, head of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

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

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

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to bring it into the streetscape or develop something more creative and avant-garde."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

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

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the difficulty and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are focused on finishing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the frustration of inhabitants and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

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