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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits 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 shrouded blight.

Tourists find no available accommodations, foot traffic are funneled through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

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

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

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the junction of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the development.

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

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

In a comment, its management said construction activity had obliged them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has placed large banners on the structure to notify customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a city committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, citing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the setback.

"We project starting to dismantle parts of the structure close to the conclusion of 2026, with additional work continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we provide an improved site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of heritage body the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

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

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

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the streetscape or develop something more creative and innovative."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We understand the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the difficulty and size of the remedial work required, however we are focused on finishing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the council would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the company has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."