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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, walkers are squeezed through tight corridors, and establishments have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be dismantled.

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

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

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

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

Construction activity began shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the junction of the historic street have been left out of action by the work.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been forced single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant Ondine quit the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said the ongoing project had forced them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large banners on the scaffold to inform customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

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

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

"We project starting to remove portions of the framework close to the conclusion of next year, with additional work continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, director of conservation group the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce disturbance and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that area of the city really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to bring it into the street view or produce something more creative and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They added: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the complexity and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this necessary work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I share the exasperation of residents and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also recognize that the firm has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has proved to be hugely complex."