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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's historic capital sits a imposing sight of construction framework.

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

Tourists cannot book rooms, foot traffic are directed through tight corridors, and establishments have left the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The establishment with 136 rooms was built on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Projections from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Work on the building began not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the junction of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the development.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been required single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant left the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its operators said construction activity had forced them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts dining franchise Pizza Express – which has placed large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the façade would begin in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But the firm has said that will not happen, citing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the delay.

"We project starting to take down sections of the framework near the finish of next year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an better site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of heritage body the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to minimise inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to integrate it into the urban landscape or develop something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was in progress.

They stated: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the difficulty and scale of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this essential work as soon as is possible."

The official said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the firm has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this repair has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."