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Along the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a monolith of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the intersection of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are squeezed through confined passages, and businesses have left the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be taken down.

A local authority figure a council official has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was built on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts began shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been closed off by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been required in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

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

In a release, its operators said the ongoing project had forced them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to remind customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a city committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, citing "highly complicated" building problems for the delay.

"We expect starting to take down sections of the structure towards the end of next year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of preservation association the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce disturbance 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 perplexing why there is not some attempt to bring it into the streetscape or produce something more creative and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was continuing.

They continued: "We understand the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the difficulty and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to finishing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

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

"However, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."