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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's ancient city sits a monolith of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the corner of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers find no available accommodations, pedestrians are funneled through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

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

Further Delays

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has labeled it 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 sizeable hotel was built on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Construction activity started not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been required single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery Ondine quit the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its operators said construction activity had forced them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has hung large signs on the scaffold to notify customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the façade would start in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, citing "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the setback.

"We expect starting to remove portions of the structure near the finish of next year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an improved site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, head of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

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

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that area of the city very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to bring it into the streetscape or create something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They stated: "We recognize the frustrations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the difficulty and size of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to completing this vital work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I understand the annoyance of locals and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also appreciate that the company has a duty to make the building secure and that this remediation has turned out to be extremely complicated."