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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's historic capital sits a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the junction of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors find no available accommodations, foot traffic are funneled through tight corridors, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

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

Projections from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building got underway not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the project.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been compelled single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a popular spot left the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said building work had obliged them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has placed large signs on the framework to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, pointing to "highly complicated" structural challenges for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to take down portions of the scaffold towards the end of next year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we create an improved site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

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

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

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that area of the city really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to bring it into the streetscape or create something more creative and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They added: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by the community and businesses.

"This has been a extended and complex process, reflecting the difficulty and scale of the repair work required, however we are focused on concluding this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I echo the annoyance of residents and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also recognize that the firm has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."