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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's ancient city sits a giant structure of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the intersection of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors find no available accommodations, pedestrians are directed through tight corridors, and businesses have left the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be taken down.

The city's political leader a council official has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

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

Figures from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Work on the building got underway shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

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

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been forced in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a popular spot quit the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

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

It is also hosts dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large banners on the framework to notify customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would begin in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, referencing "highly complicated" construction issues for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to take down sections of the structure near the finish of next year, with additional work ongoing after that," they said.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an improved site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, head of conservation group the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that section really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the urban landscape or create something more aesthetic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

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

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the difficulty and size of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to completing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

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

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I echo the exasperation of locals and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"That said, I also appreciate that the firm has a duty to make the building secure and that this restoration has been extremely complicated."