🔗 Share this article

Along the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's historic capital stands a monolith of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through narrow walkways, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be taken down.

The city's political leader a council official has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

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

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts started not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the development.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been compelled one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a popular spot left the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

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

It is also home to popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has placed large signs on the structure to notify customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a city committee in early this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the frontage would begin in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, citing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle parts of the structure close to the conclusion of next year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an improved site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen disruption and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to incorporate it within the streetscape or develop something more creative and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They stated: "We understand the irritations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the difficulty and scale of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to completing this vital work as soon as is practicable."

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

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the annoyance of inhabitants and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this remediation has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."