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On one of the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's ancient city sits a giant structure of scaffolding.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the intersection of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, foot traffic are funneled through confined passages, and businesses have left the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be taken down.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

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

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been closed off by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been required one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot quit the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said building work had forced them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts popular eatery a chain – which has hung large signs on the structure to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a city committee in early this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the frontage would start in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, referencing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement.

"We expect starting to remove sections of the structure near the finish of 2026, with further improvements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we create an better site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, head of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to lessen disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

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

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the street view or create something more creative and innovative."

Project Response

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

They continued: "We understand the irritations felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the complexity and size of the repair work required, however we are focused on finishing this essential work as soon as is possible."

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

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I share the annoyance of locals and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has proved to be exceptionally difficult."