🔗 Share this article

Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's ancient city stands a giant structure of scaffolding.

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

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, walkers are funneled through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be removed.

A local authority figure a council official has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Figures from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Construction activity got underway not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the historic street have been closed off by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been compelled in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a well-known restaurant quit the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its management said construction activity had obliged them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large notices on the framework to remind customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year stated that the process of "exposing" the façade would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, citing "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the setback.

"We project starting to take down parts of the scaffold close to the conclusion of 2026, with additional work ongoing after that," they said.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an improved site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, head of preservation association the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise 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 very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to bring it into the street view or create something more creative and innovative."

Project Response

A official statement said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We understand the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the complexity and size of the restoration required, however we are focused on finishing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I share the annoyance of inhabitants and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

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