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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's historic capital sits a giant structure of scaffolding.

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

Tourists find no available accommodations, walkers are squeezed through narrow walkways, and establishments have left the building.

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

Extended Timelines

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

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

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Remedial efforts got underway soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the development.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been compelled in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

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

In a statement, its owners said construction activity had forced them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of popular eatery a chain – which has hung large banners on the scaffold to inform customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a local authority committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to remove parts of the framework close to the conclusion of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," they said.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an better site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, head of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

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

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that area of the city really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to bring it into the urban landscape or develop something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They stated: "We recognize the irritations felt by local residents and shops.

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the complexity and size of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to completing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

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

"That said, I also acknowledge that the firm has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this remediation has been exceptionally difficult."