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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a giant structure of scaffolding.

For five years, the establishment on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

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

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be taken down.

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

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Remedial efforts started soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

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

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been forced single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a popular spot departed from the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said construction activity had obliged them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to dining franchise Pizza Express – which has hung large notices on the structure to notify customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a local authority committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would start in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

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

"We project starting to take down sections of the scaffold close to the conclusion of 2026, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, head of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

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

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to incorporate it within the street view or develop something more aesthetic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by the community and businesses.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the intricacy and scale of the restoration required, however we are focused on concluding this vital work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I echo the frustration of residents and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this restoration has been hugely complex."