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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, pedestrians are funneled through narrow walkways, and establishments have vacated the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be taken down.

The city's political leader a council official has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity began shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the work.

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

Seafood restaurant Ondine left the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its management said construction activity had obliged them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a chain – which has placed large banners on the scaffold to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a city committee in early this year stated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would commence in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, citing "highly complicated" building problems for the delay.

"We project starting to dismantle parts of the scaffold towards the end of the coming year, with further improvements ongoing after that," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, lead of heritage body the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

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

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that part of town really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to incorporate it within the streetscape or develop something more artistic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was in progress.

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

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the intricacy and size of the repair work required, however we are focused on completing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I share the exasperation of locals and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the company has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has proved to be hugely complex."