🔗 Share this article

Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's ancient city looms a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, the establishment on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, walkers are directed through tight corridors, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Repair 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.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be taken down.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

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

Work on the building began soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been closed off by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been forced in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant left the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its management said building work had compelled them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of popular eatery a chain – which has hung large signs on the framework to remind customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year stated that the process of "exposing" the façade would start in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

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

"We project starting to remove sections of the framework close to the conclusion of 2026, with further improvements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to 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 blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the pedestrian experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to integrate it into the street view or produce something more creative and avant-garde."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We understand the annoyances felt by the community and businesses.

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the complexity and size of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to completing this vital work as soon as is possible."

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

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I share the annoyance of residents and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"That said, I also appreciate that the firm has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this repair has turned out to be extremely complicated."