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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's ancient city sits a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the junction of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, pedestrians are directed through confined passages, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be removed.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts began shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the development.

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

Seafood restaurant a popular spot departed from the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

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

It is also hosts popular eatery Pizza Express – which has displayed large signs on the scaffold to inform customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An update to the council's transport and environment 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 SRM has said that is not the case, referencing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle parts of the framework near the finish of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an enhanced site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, head of heritage body the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to reduce disruption and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that part of town really difficult.

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

Continued Work

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

They continued: "We recognize the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This has been a extended and complex process, highlighting the difficulty and size of the repair work required, however we are focused on completing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the annoyance of residents and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the firm has a duty to make the building secure and that this remediation has been exceptionally difficult."