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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, walkers are squeezed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be dismantled.

A local authority figure a council official has described it as a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Construction activity began soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the work.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been compelled one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a popular spot departed from the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said the ongoing project had obliged them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts popular eatery Pizza Express – which has placed large notices on the structure to remind customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a city committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would start in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is not the case, citing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We project starting to dismantle parts of the structure towards the end of the coming year, with additional work continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an enhanced site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

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

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

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

Project Response

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

They continued: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by local residents and businesses.

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

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I understand the exasperation of inhabitants and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also appreciate that the company has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has turned out to be hugely complex."