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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's historic capital stands a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

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

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, walkers are squeezed through tight corridors, and businesses have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be dismantled.

The city's political leader a council official has described it as a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

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

Projections from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts began not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of pavement leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the work.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been compelled single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

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

In a comment, its owners said construction activity had forced them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large notices on the structure to notify customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a local authority committee in early this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the exterior would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, citing "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle sections of the framework towards the end of 2026, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an better site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of conservation group the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce disturbance and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that section exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to integrate it into the streetscape or develop something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by the community and shops.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, reflecting the difficulty and scale of the repair work required, however we are committed to finishing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the city would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the company has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has turned out to be extremely complicated."