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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's historic capital sits a giant structure of construction framework.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the intersection of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists cannot book rooms, walkers are directed through narrow walkways, and establishments have vacated the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be taken down.

The city's political leader a council official has described it as a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

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

Remedial efforts got underway not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

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

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been required single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a popular spot left the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said the ongoing project had compelled them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of dining franchise Pizza Express – which has placed large notices on the structure to remind customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

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

But the contractor has said that is not the case, citing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the delay.

"We expect starting to remove parts of the framework towards the end of next year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, head of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that part of town very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to bring it into the urban landscape or create something more creative and avant-garde."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We understand the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are focused on concluding this essential work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the city would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I understand the exasperation of locals and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the firm has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has proved to be hugely complex."