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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a monolith of construction framework.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors find no available accommodations, pedestrians are funneled through confined passages, and establishments have vacated the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be dismantled.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the former local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Work on the building got underway shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been required one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a popular spot quit the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a release, its owners said building work had compelled them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has placed large notices on the structure to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a local authority committee in early this year stated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would begin in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, citing "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the delay.

"We expect starting to dismantle parts of the structure near the finish of 2026, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an improved site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, head of conservation group the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to lessen disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's design.

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

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the street view or create something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They added: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the intricacy and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the city would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I understand the exasperation of locals and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also appreciate that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this repair has turned out to be extremely complicated."