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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's ancient city sits a imposing sight of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the intersection of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists cannot book rooms, walkers are directed through confined passages, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be taken down.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

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

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts started soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of pavement leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the project.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been compelled one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant Ondine left the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its owners said building work had forced them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has placed large signs on the scaffold to remind customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a local authority committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would start in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the firm has said that will not happen, citing "extremely complex" building problems for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to take down portions of the framework towards the end of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we provide an better site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, head of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disturbance and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It is making the pedestrian experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the urban landscape or create something more creative and avant-garde."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

They stated: "We recognize the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This has been a extended and complex process, reflecting the intricacy and scale of the restoration required, however we are focused on concluding this essential work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the firm has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has proved to be exceptionally difficult."