🔗 Share this article

On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a giant structure of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors find no available accommodations, foot traffic are squeezed through tight corridors, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be dismantled.

A local authority figure a city representative has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Construction activity started shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of footpath leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the work.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been compelled one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

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

In a statement, its operators said building work had obliged them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has placed large notices on the structure to inform customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a city committee in early this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the façade would start in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the setback.

"We expect starting to dismantle parts of the structure close to the conclusion of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an better site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, director of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

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

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that section exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the streetscape or develop something more artistic and innovative."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They added: "We recognize the annoyances felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the intricacy and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to completing this vital work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I understand the frustration of residents and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also recognize that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this restoration has been extremely complicated."