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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's ancient city stands a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, foot traffic are funneled through narrow walkways, and businesses have abandoned the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be removed.

The city's political leader a city representative has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building began soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the corner of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the work.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been compelled one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment Ondine left the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

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

It is also home to popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has placed large signs on the scaffold to inform customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a local authority committee in January this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the frontage would begin in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, referencing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the delay.

"We expect starting to remove sections of the framework near the finish of the coming year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

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

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

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that area of the city very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the streetscape or create something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They continued: "We understand the annoyances felt by the community and businesses.

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the difficulty and scale of the remedial work required, however we are focused on completing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

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

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

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a duty to make the building secure and that this repair has proved to be extremely complicated."