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Along the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a giant structure of construction framework.

For half a decade, 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, walkers are directed through confined passages, and businesses have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be removed.

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

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

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

Part of the road and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the development.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been compelled single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a well-known restaurant quit the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said construction activity had obliged them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts dining franchise a chain – which has displayed large signs on the structure to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a local authority committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would start in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to take down parts of the scaffold close to the conclusion of 2026, with additional work continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, head of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

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

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that part of town very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the urban landscape or create something more creative and cutting-edge."

Project Response

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

They stated: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by the community and businesses.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, highlighting the complexity and scale of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

The official said the council would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

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

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