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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's historic capital sits a giant structure of scaffolding.

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

Travellers find no available accommodations, foot traffic are funneled through narrow walkways, and businesses have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be removed.

The city's political leader a council official has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Work on the building began soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been closed off by the work.

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

A dining establishment Ondine departed from the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said construction activity had forced them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has hung large signs on the scaffold to notify customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a local authority committee in January this year stated that the process of "uncovering" the façade would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the firm has said that will not happen, pointing to "highly complicated" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to take down parts of the structure towards the end of the coming year, with additional work proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

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

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen disturbance and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

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

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

Continued Work

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

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

"This has been a extended and complex process, highlighting the intricacy and size of the restoration required, however we are committed to completing this essential work as soon as is possible."

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

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

"That said, I also recognize that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has proved to be exceptionally difficult."