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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's ancient city looms a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be removed.

A local authority figure a council official has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

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

Projections from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel 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 closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been compelled in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery Ondine left the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a release, its owners said building work had obliged them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of popular eatery a chain – which has displayed large notices on the structure to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would start in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is not the case, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle parts of the framework close to the conclusion of 2026, with further improvements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

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

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

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

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to bring it into the street view or create something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They continued: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the intricacy and size of the remedial work required, however we are committed to completing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I echo the frustration of residents and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the firm has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this restoration has turned out to be hugely complex."