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On one of the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's historic capital looms a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are funneled through confined passages, and establishments have left the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be taken down.

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

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity began not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests 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.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been compelled in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

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

In a release, its operators said building work had compelled them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large notices on the structure to remind customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a city committee in January this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would begin in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that is not the case, pointing to "extremely complex" building problems for the delay.

"We project starting to remove portions of the scaffold near the finish of 2026, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, director of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

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

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

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the streetscape or develop something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They added: "We understand the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, reflecting the complexity and scale of the restoration required, however we are focused on finishing this essential work as soon as is possible."

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

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I share the exasperation of inhabitants and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also appreciate that the company has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has proved to be exceptionally difficult."