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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, foot traffic are funneled through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have left the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be dismantled.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has called it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

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

Projections from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Work on the building got underway not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the development.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been required one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

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

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

It is also the location of dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large signs on the framework to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An report to the a city committee in early this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the façade would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

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

"We project starting to dismantle sections of the framework close to the conclusion of next year, with further improvements ongoing after that," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, lead of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that section really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to bring it into the urban landscape or develop something more creative and avant-garde."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the difficulty and scale of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this necessary work as soon as is possible."

The official said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I understand the frustration of residents and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also recognize that the contractor has a obligation to make the building secure and that this restoration has been exceptionally difficult."