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Along the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's ancient city stands a imposing sight of construction framework.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through tight corridors, and businesses have left the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be taken down.

A local authority figure a city representative has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

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

Estimates from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building started not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the corner of the historic street have been closed off by the development.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been forced in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment Ondine left the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said building work had forced them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has hung large signs on the structure to remind customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a local authority committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would begin in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, citing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to take down sections of the structure close to the conclusion of 2026, with further improvements ongoing after that," they said.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, director of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that part of town really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to bring it into the street view or create something more artistic and innovative."

Project Response

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

They added: "We understand the annoyances felt by the community and shops.

"This has been a extended and complex process, demonstrating the difficulty and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are focused on finishing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I share the exasperation of locals and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the company has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has proved to be extremely complicated."