🔗 Share this article

On one of the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's historic capital stands a giant structure of construction framework.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, pedestrians are directed through confined passages, and establishments have vacated the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

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

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners 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 old regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Construction activity got underway shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the work.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been compelled single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a popular spot left the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said the ongoing project had forced them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has hung large notices on the framework to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a local authority committee in January this year stated that the process of "uncovering" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, pointing to "highly complicated" building problems for the delay.

"We project starting to remove parts of the framework close to the conclusion of the coming year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, director of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

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

She said: "It is making the pedestrian experience in that section really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to bring it into the streetscape or create something more creative and innovative."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We recognize the annoyances felt by local residents and businesses.

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

The official said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I echo the exasperation of locals and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"However, I also acknowledge that the firm has a obligation to make the building safe and that this remediation has turned out to be extremely complicated."