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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, foot traffic are squeezed through tight corridors, and establishments have vacated the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be taken down.

A local authority figure a city representative has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was built on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

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

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

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

Seafood restaurant a popular spot departed from the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

In a release, its management said building work had obliged them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a local authority committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would begin in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle parts of the framework close to the conclusion of next year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

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

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's design.

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

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to bring it into the street view or produce something more artistic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

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

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

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the difficulty and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are focused on completing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the city would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

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

"However, I also acknowledge that the company has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this restoration has been hugely complex."