🔗 Share this article

Along the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's historic capital sits a monolith of scaffolding.

For half a decade, the establishment on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be dismantled.

The city's political leader a city representative has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts began soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of footpath leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been required in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment Ondine quit the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its operators said the ongoing project had forced them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a chain – which has displayed large banners on the structure to notify customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in January this year stated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would begin in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, pointing to "highly complicated" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle parts of the scaffold near the finish of next year, with further improvements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of conservation group the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disturbance 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 exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to integrate it into the urban landscape or develop something more aesthetic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

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

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the difficulty and size of the restoration required, however we are focused on completing this vital work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the council 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 continued delays.

"That said, I also appreciate that the company has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has been extremely complicated."