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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the corner of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors cannot book rooms, foot traffic are funneled through confined passages, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be removed.

The city's political leader a city representative has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building started not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the development.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been forced single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a popular spot departed from the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its management said the ongoing project had forced them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large signs on the framework to remind customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a city committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would begin in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, citing "extremely complex" construction issues for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle portions of the framework close to the conclusion of next year, with further improvements ongoing after that," the company commented.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, head of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce disruption and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the street view or create something more creative and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to beautify the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We recognize the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the difficulty and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are focused on completing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I share the annoyance of locals and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also appreciate that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this restoration has turned out to be hugely complex."