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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a imposing sight of construction framework.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, foot traffic are squeezed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be removed.

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

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

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

A section of the street and a large section of pavement leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been compelled in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant Ondine departed from the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its management said the ongoing project had compelled them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to popular eatery Pizza Express – which has hung large banners on the structure to remind customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, pointing to "highly complicated" construction issues for the postponement.

"We expect starting to take down parts of the scaffold towards the end of next year, with further improvements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to lessen disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

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

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the urban landscape or create something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

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

They continued: "We recognize the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are committed to finishing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I echo the exasperation of locals and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also appreciate that the firm has a duty to make the building safe and that this restoration has turned out to be extremely complicated."