🔗 Share this article

Along the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's ancient city looms a giant structure of scaffolding.

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

Tourists cannot book rooms, walkers are directed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

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

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts got underway shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been required one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery Ondine departed from the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its management said construction activity had forced them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to popular eatery Pizza Express – which has placed large banners on the structure to remind customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

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

But the firm has said that is not the case, referencing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the delay.

"We project starting to dismantle portions of the framework towards the end of next year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, head of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that section very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to integrate it into the streetscape or develop something more creative and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They stated: "We recognize the irritations felt by the community and businesses.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the complexity and scale of the repair work required, however we are committed to completing this vital work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the city would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

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

"That said, I also recognize that the company has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has been hugely complex."