🔗 Share this article

On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are directed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Construction activity began soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

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

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been compelled single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery Ondine departed from the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its management said the ongoing project had forced them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to restaurant chain a chain – which has placed large notices on the structure to inform customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a local authority committee in January this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the façade would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the setback.

"We expect starting to dismantle parts of the structure towards the end of next year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

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

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

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that area of the city really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to integrate it into the urban landscape or produce something more aesthetic and innovative."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We understand the irritations felt by local residents and shops.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, demonstrating the difficulty and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are committed to concluding this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I echo the annoyance of locals and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a duty to make the building safe and that this repair has proved to be exceptionally difficult."