🔗 Share this article

Along the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's historic capital sits a giant structure of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

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

Remedial work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be dismantled.

A local authority figure a city representative has called it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

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

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the project.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been forced single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot left the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

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

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

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year stated that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would commence in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But the firm has said that will not happen, citing "highly complicated" construction issues for the postponement.

"We project starting to remove sections of the scaffold near the finish of next year, with additional work ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an improved site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, director of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

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

Ongoing Efforts

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

They stated: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, highlighting the complexity and size of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to finishing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the frustration of locals and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the company has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has proved to be hugely complex."