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On one of the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's ancient city sits a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, foot traffic are directed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be taken down.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

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

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Work on the building began not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been required single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment Ondine quit the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

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

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

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a city committee in January this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would start in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, citing "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the setback.

"We expect starting to dismantle portions of the framework close to the conclusion of 2026, with additional work ongoing after that," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, lead of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"I don't understand why there is not a try to integrate it into the streetscape or create something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

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

They continued: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This represents a extended and complex process, reflecting the complexity and size of the remedial work required, however we are committed to finishing this essential work as soon as is possible."

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

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

"However, I also recognize that the firm has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has turned out to be hugely complex."