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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a giant structure of scaffolding.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the corner of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, foot traffic are squeezed through confined passages, and businesses have left the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be dismantled.

The city's political leader a city representative has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Construction activity began soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the work.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been compelled in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant quit the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its operators said construction activity had obliged them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to restaurant chain a chain – which has displayed large signs on the framework to remind customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

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

But the contractor has said that is not the case, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to take down portions of the structure towards the end of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an enhanced site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, head of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to minimise inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

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

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to integrate it into the streetscape or create something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

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

They continued: "We understand the irritations felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the complexity and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are focused on concluding this essential work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

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

"However, I also appreciate that the firm has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has been exceptionally difficult."