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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of construction framework.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the corner of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are squeezed through narrow walkways, and establishments have abandoned the building.

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

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be taken down.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

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

Projections from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

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

Part of the road and a large section of pavement leading up to the corner of the historic street have been closed off by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been forced in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant quit the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said building work had forced them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of popular eatery a chain – which has hung large banners on the framework to remind customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the frontage would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, referencing "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the delay.

"We project starting to take down portions of the scaffold towards the end of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an enhanced site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, head of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disruption and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that section very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to bring it into the street view or develop something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Project Response

A official statement said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

They added: "We understand the irritations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the difficulty and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are focused on concluding this vital work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the council would "maintain pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I share the frustration of residents and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"However, I also acknowledge that the company has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this repair has turned out to be hugely complex."