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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a giant structure of construction framework.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the junction of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have left the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

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

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts 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 footpath leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been closed off by the work.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been forced one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment Ondine departed from the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its management said building work had forced them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to dining franchise a chain – which has placed large signs on the framework to notify customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a local authority committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would commence in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We expect starting to remove portions of the framework towards the end of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an improved site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, head of heritage body the an advocacy group, 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 "obligation to the public" to reduce disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that area of the city very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to integrate it into the urban landscape or develop something more creative and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "ideas to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They added: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by local residents and shops.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the difficulty and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are focused on concluding this essential work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I understand the exasperation of residents and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

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