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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a monolith of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors find no available accommodations, foot traffic are directed through confined passages, and establishments have vacated the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

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

A local authority figure a city representative has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Work on the building started shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of pavement leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the development.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been forced in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a popular spot departed from the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said the ongoing project had forced them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of dining franchise a chain – which has placed large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a local authority committee in early this year suggested that the process of "exposing" the exterior would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is not the case, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle portions of the structure near the finish of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we provide an improved site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, director of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to lessen inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that part of town really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to incorporate it within the urban landscape or produce something more creative and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

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

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

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the complexity and scale of the remedial work required, however we are focused on concluding this essential work as soon as is practicable."

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

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I echo the frustration of inhabitants and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also recognize that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this restoration has turned out to be hugely complex."