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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's historic capital sits a giant structure of scaffolding.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be taken down.

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

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

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

Projections from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building got underway soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of footpath leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the development.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been forced single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant Ondine left the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its operators said the ongoing project had obliged them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a chain – which has hung large banners on the structure to remind customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

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

But SRM has said that is incorrect, pointing to "extremely complex" building problems for the delay.

"We project starting to dismantle parts of the scaffold near the finish of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, lead of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that section exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the street view or produce something more creative and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

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

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, highlighting the complexity and size of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to completing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I share the frustration of locals and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the firm has a duty to make the building secure and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."