🔗 Share this article

On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, the establishment on the junction of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, walkers are squeezed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts started 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 lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building began not long 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 footpath leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been forced one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot departed from the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

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

It is also home to popular eatery a chain – which has displayed large signs on the structure to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a city committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, pointing to "extremely complex" structural challenges for the setback.

"We project starting to dismantle sections of the structure close to the conclusion of next year, with further improvements ongoing after that," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we create an enhanced site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of heritage body the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to bring it into the streetscape or develop something more aesthetic and innovative."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We understand the irritations felt by local residents and shops.

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

The official said the city would "maintain pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I understand the annoyance of residents and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also appreciate that the firm has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this repair has been extremely complicated."