🔗 Share this article

Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a giant structure of construction framework.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are squeezed through tight corridors, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Remedial work commenced 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

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has called 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 Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Work on the building got underway not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of pavement leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been compelled single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a popular spot quit the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said the ongoing project had forced them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of dining franchise Pizza Express – which has placed large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year stated that the process of "revealing" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

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

"We expect starting to take down portions of the scaffold towards the end of 2026, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," a statement read.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of conservation group the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

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

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that area of the city really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to bring it into the street view or produce something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "ideas to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We recognize the frustrations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the intricacy and scale of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to finishing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I share the annoyance of locals and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."