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On one of the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's historic capital looms a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

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

Travellers find no available accommodations, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have vacated the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be dismantled.

The city's political leader a council official has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Figures from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building got underway shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been closed off by the development.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been forced in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery Ondine quit the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said construction activity had obliged them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of dining franchise a chain – which has placed large banners on the framework to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in early this year suggested that the process of "exposing" the frontage would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is not the case, pointing to "extremely complex" building problems for the postponement.

"We project starting to remove parts of the scaffold near the finish of 2026, with additional work ongoing after that," the company commented.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to reduce inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that area of the city really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the street view or develop something more aesthetic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the intricacy and size of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this essential work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I share the exasperation of residents and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also appreciate that the company has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has turned out to be hugely complex."