🔗 Share this article

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

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, pedestrians are squeezed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be dismantled.

The city's political leader a council official has called it a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Remedial efforts got underway shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been compelled in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a popular spot departed from the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said construction activity had forced them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts popular eatery a chain – which has displayed large notices on the structure to remind customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a city committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would begin in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

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

"We expect starting to remove portions of the structure close to the conclusion of next year, with additional work proceeding afterwards," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to incorporate it within the streetscape or develop something more aesthetic and innovative."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by local residents and businesses.

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the intricacy and scale of the repair work required, however we are committed to finishing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the council would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

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

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