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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For half a decade, the establishment on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, foot traffic are funneled through confined passages, and businesses have vacated the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be removed.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Construction activity got underway shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the development.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been forced in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant left the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its operators said construction activity had obliged them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to popular eatery a chain – which has placed large banners on the framework to remind customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a local authority committee in January this year stated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would start in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, referencing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to remove portions of the structure near the finish of 2026, with additional work ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an improved site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise disruption and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the pedestrian experience in that part of town really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to bring it into the urban landscape or develop something more artistic and innovative."

Continued Work

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

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

"This has been a extended and complex process, highlighting the intricacy and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are focused on completing this essential work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I share the exasperation of inhabitants and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"However, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this restoration has proved to be exceptionally difficult."