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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms 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, pedestrians are funneled through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Repair work 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.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

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

Estimates from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts got underway shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the development.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been compelled one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment Ondine quit the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its owners said the ongoing project had compelled them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts dining franchise Pizza Express – which has placed large notices on the scaffold to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a local authority committee in January this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would commence in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, referencing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the delay.

"We expect starting to dismantle portions of the structure near the finish of next year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of conservation group the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that area of the city very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the urban landscape or create something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

They continued: "We recognize the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the difficulty and size of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this vital work as soon as is possible."

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

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I echo the frustration of locals and local businesses over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the company has a obligation to make the building safe and that this repair has proved to be exceptionally difficult."