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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are directed through narrow walkways, and establishments have left the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be removed.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has called it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Work on the building started soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the work.

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

An eatery Ondine departed from the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said building work had compelled them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has placed large notices on the framework to inform customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would start in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that is not the case, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle parts of the framework close to the conclusion of the coming year, with additional work ongoing after that," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an improved site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, director of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that section exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the urban landscape or produce something more creative and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They added: "We understand the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the difficulty and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are focused on finishing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I understand the exasperation of locals and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the contractor has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has proved to be hugely complex."