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On one of the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a giant structure of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the intersection of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are directed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be dismantled.

The city's political leader a city representative has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

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

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Construction activity started not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

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

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been required one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant Ondine departed from the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its owners said construction activity had compelled them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a local authority committee in January this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the façade would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

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

"We anticipate starting to remove parts of the structure towards the end of next year, with further improvements ongoing after that," a statement read.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we create an enhanced site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the street view or create something more creative and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They added: "We recognize the annoyances felt by local residents and businesses.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the intricacy and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

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

"However, I also acknowledge that the firm has a duty to make the building safe and that this restoration has turned out to be hugely complex."