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

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the corner of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, foot traffic are squeezed through tight corridors, and establishments have vacated the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be taken down.

A local authority figure a city representative has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

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

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building began shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been left out of action by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been compelled single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery Ondine quit the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said the ongoing project had compelled them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to dining franchise a chain – which has displayed large notices on the framework to inform customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a local authority committee in early this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the façade would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, citing "highly complicated" building problems for the setback.

"We project starting to dismantle parts of the framework towards the end of next year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we create an improved site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of heritage body the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to lessen disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the pedestrian experience in that part of town very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to incorporate it within the urban landscape or create something more creative and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was in progress.

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

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the difficulty and scale of the remedial work required, however we are focused on finishing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the annoyance of residents and local businesses over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the firm has a obligation to make the building safe and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."