What's Happening with the Capital's Scaffold-Wrapped Hotel?

Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, the establishment on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors find no available accommodations, walkers are funneled through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be removed.

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

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the former local government offices in 2009.

Figures from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts began soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the work.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been forced one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant Ondine left the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said the ongoing project had forced them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts popular eatery a chain – which has displayed large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An report to the a local authority committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the façade would start in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, citing "extremely complex" building problems for the setback.

"We project starting to take down parts of the structure near the finish of the coming year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

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

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

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to bring it into the urban landscape or develop something more creative and avant-garde."

Continued Work

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

They continued: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by the community and shops.

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the difficulty and size of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this vital work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I share the frustration of inhabitants and local businesses over these continued delays.

"However, I also acknowledge that the company has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has been exceptionally difficult."