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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's historic capital looms a giant structure of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, foot traffic are directed through tight corridors, and establishments have left the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be taken down.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

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

Projections from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Construction activity started not long 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 footpath leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been required in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery Ondine quit the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said building work had obliged them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of popular eatery Pizza Express – which has hung large signs on the scaffold to notify customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "revealing" the frontage would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is not the case, referencing "highly complicated" construction issues for the delay.

"We expect starting to dismantle sections of the scaffold towards the end of next year, with additional work continuing thereafter," they said.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we provide an better site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, head of preservation association the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

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

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to bring it into the streetscape or develop something more creative and innovative."

Continued Work

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

They added: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the difficulty and size of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I echo the annoyance of inhabitants and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the company has a obligation to make the building safe and that this repair has turned out to be hugely complex."