The Situation with Edinburgh's Scaffolding-Clad Hotel?

Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's ancient city stands a giant structure of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through confined passages, and businesses have left the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be removed.

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

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

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

Remedial efforts started soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

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

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been forced in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant departed from the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a release, its management said building work had obliged them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large banners on the structure to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An report to the a city committee in early this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the façade would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, citing "extremely complex" building problems for the setback.

"We expect starting to take down sections of the scaffold near the finish of next year, with further improvements ongoing after that," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an better site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

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

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that section very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to bring it into the urban landscape or produce something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They continued: "We understand the frustrations felt by local residents and shops.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and scale of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I share the frustration of residents and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the company has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this remediation has proved to be hugely complex."