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Along the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's historic capital stands a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, the establishment on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

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

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The establishment with 136 rooms was built on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

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

Construction activity started not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the project.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been forced single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot quit the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its management said construction activity had compelled them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

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

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a city committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the façade would start in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

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

"We expect starting to remove parts of the structure near the finish of next year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, director of heritage body the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to lessen disturbance and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that section really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the streetscape or create something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by the community and enterprises.

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the intricacy and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are committed to finishing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

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

"That said, I also appreciate that the firm has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this remediation has turned out to be hugely complex."