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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's historic capital stands a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are funneled through confined passages, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be dismantled.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building got underway soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the project.

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

Seafood restaurant Ondine departed from the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said the ongoing project had obliged them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has placed large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

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

But SRM has said that is incorrect, referencing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to take down sections of the framework towards the end of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, head of heritage body the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to minimise inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that area of the city really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to bring it into the streetscape or create something more creative and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They continued: "We understand the annoyances felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This has been a extended and complex process, demonstrating the difficulty and size of the restoration required, however we are focused on finishing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the council would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I understand the exasperation of inhabitants and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the firm has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has proved to be hugely complex."