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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a imposing sight of construction framework.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, foot traffic are directed through confined passages, and establishments have left the building.

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

Further Delays

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be taken down.

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

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

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 footpath leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been compelled one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery a popular spot quit the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its operators said building work had obliged them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to restaurant chain a chain – which has displayed large banners on the scaffold to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the exterior would start in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

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

"We anticipate starting to remove portions of the structure towards the end of 2026, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

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 associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that part of town really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to integrate it into the street view or produce something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They stated: "We recognize the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the difficulty and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are focused on finishing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

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

"That said, I also acknowledge that the company has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this repair has turned out to be hugely complex."