🔗 Share this article

Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's ancient city looms a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the junction of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists cannot book rooms, foot traffic are funneled through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be dismantled.

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

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building began shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the development.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been required one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot left the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said building work had compelled them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has hung large banners on the structure to inform customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

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

But the contractor has said that will not happen, citing "highly complicated" building problems for the postponement.

"We expect starting to take down parts of the structure near the finish of next year, with additional work continuing thereafter," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an improved site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce disruption and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that area of the city really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to integrate it into the street view or create something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They stated: "We understand the frustrations felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the complexity and size of the repair work required, however we are committed to concluding this essential work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the frustration of locals and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a obligation to make the building safe and that this restoration has turned out to be hugely complex."