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Along the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

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

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

Further Delays

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 taken down.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has called it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity began soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the project.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been forced single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment a popular spot left the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

In a release, its owners said construction activity had obliged them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has placed large banners on the structure to remind customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a local authority committee in January this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the façade would begin in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

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

"We project starting to dismantle sections of the structure towards the end of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an better site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

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

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that part of town very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to integrate it into the urban landscape or produce something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by the community and businesses.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the difficulty and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are committed to concluding this necessary work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the exasperation of inhabitants and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

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