🔗 Share this article

Along the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's ancient city looms a imposing sight of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are funneled through confined passages, and businesses have left the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be dismantled.

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

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

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

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

Construction activity started not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of pavement leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been required single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant left the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said the ongoing project had obliged them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of popular eatery a chain – which has displayed large signs on the structure to inform customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year suggested that the process of "exposing" the frontage would start in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, referencing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to take down parts of the framework close to the conclusion of next year, with additional work proceeding afterwards," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, director of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to reduce disturbance and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that part of town really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the streetscape or develop something more creative and innovative."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was continuing.

They added: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by the community and businesses.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, reflecting the difficulty and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this vital work as soon as is possible."

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

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the annoyance of locals and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also recognize that the company has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this repair has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."