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Along the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's ancient city stands a imposing sight of scaffolding.

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.

Visitors find no available accommodations, pedestrians are directed through narrow walkways, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place 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 frame can be removed.

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

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building began shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been left out of action by the work.

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

A dining establishment Ondine departed from the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

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

It is also hosts restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has displayed large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a city committee in January this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the frontage 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 "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the delay.

"We project starting to take down sections of the structure near the finish of 2026, with additional work continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an improved site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of preservation association the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that part of town very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to integrate it into the street view or produce something more creative and innovative."

Project Response

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

They stated: "We recognize the annoyances felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This has been a extended and complex process, reflecting the difficulty and size of the restoration required, however we are focused on finishing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

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

"However, I also recognize that the contractor has a obligation to make the building secure and that this repair has been exceptionally difficult."