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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a imposing sight of scaffolding.

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

Tourists cannot book rooms, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

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

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

Work on the building got underway not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been left out of action by the work.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been forced in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery Ondine quit the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said building work had compelled them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to restaurant chain a chain – which has displayed large banners on the framework to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

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

But the firm has said that is incorrect, pointing to "highly complicated" building problems for the setback.

"We expect starting to take down portions of the structure towards the end of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an improved site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, lead of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise disturbance and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to incorporate it within the street view or produce something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

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

They continued: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by the community and enterprises.

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the complexity and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the city would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I share the exasperation of residents and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"That said, I also appreciate that the contractor has a duty to make the building safe and that this repair has been extremely complicated."