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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's ancient city sits a monolith of construction framework.

For half a decade, the establishment on the intersection of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists find no available accommodations, pedestrians are squeezed through tight corridors, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The establishment with 136 rooms was built on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council 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 started 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 pavement leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been compelled in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant left the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said the ongoing project had compelled them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of dining franchise a chain – which has displayed large notices on the structure to notify customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a city committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "exposing" the exterior would start in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, referencing "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the setback.

"We expect starting to remove portions of the framework near the finish of next year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," they said.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we provide an better site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, director of preservation association the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to lessen disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that area of the city really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the street view or produce something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We recognize the annoyances felt by the community and businesses.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the intricacy and scale of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this essential work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I echo the frustration of locals and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also appreciate that the company has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has turned out to be hugely complex."