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Along the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of construction framework.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, pedestrians are directed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be removed.

The city's political leader a council official has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the former local government offices in 2009.

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

Remedial efforts started not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of footpath leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the project.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been forced single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot quit the building and moved to another city in 2024.

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

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

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in early this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

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

"We expect starting to take down parts of the structure towards the end of next year, with additional work proceeding afterwards," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of conservation group the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

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

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that section very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to bring it into the street view or produce something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We understand the annoyances felt by the community and enterprises.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the complexity and scale of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to completing this essential work as soon as is possible."

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

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I understand the annoyance of locals and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also appreciate that the company has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."