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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a imposing sight of construction framework.

For half a decade, the establishment on the corner of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists cannot book rooms, foot traffic are squeezed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be removed.

The city's political leader a council official has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building started not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the project.

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

Seafood restaurant a popular spot quit the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

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

It is also hosts popular eatery Pizza Express – which has placed large banners on the scaffold to inform customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a city committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "exposing" the façade would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, citing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle sections of the framework close to the conclusion of 2026, with additional work continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, lead of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disturbance and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that area of the city really difficult.

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

Ongoing Efforts

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

They continued: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and size of the repair work required, however we are committed to concluding this vital work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I echo the frustration of inhabitants and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also acknowledge that the company has a duty to make the building secure and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."