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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a giant structure of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the intersection of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers cannot book rooms, pedestrians are squeezed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be dismantled.

A local authority figure a council official has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Remedial efforts began not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of footpath leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been compelled one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant Ondine departed from the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its management said construction activity had obliged them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large banners on the framework to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a city committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, citing "highly complicated" building problems for the postponement.

"We project starting to dismantle sections of the framework near the finish of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, lead of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to reduce inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to bring it into the streetscape or create something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We recognize the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This has been a extended and complex process, demonstrating the difficulty and scale of the remedial work required, however we are focused on concluding this necessary work as soon as is possible."

The official said the city would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I share the frustration of inhabitants and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the company has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has been hugely complex."