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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

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

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

Repair work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could persist 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 scaffold can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

Construction activity began shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been closed off by the work.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been forced single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant quit the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a release, its operators said construction activity had compelled them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to dining franchise a chain – which has hung large banners on the structure to notify customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year stated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, citing "highly complicated" building problems for the delay.

"We project starting to take down portions of the framework near the finish of the coming year, with further improvements ongoing after that," they said.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an better site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, director of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to bring it into the streetscape or create something more creative and avant-garde."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This has been a extended and complex process, demonstrating the difficulty and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are focused on completing this essential work as soon as is possible."

The official said the city would "maintain pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the annoyance of inhabitants and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the company has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has proved to be exceptionally difficult."