What's Happening with Edinburgh's Scaffold-Wrapped Hotel?

Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits a imposing sight of construction framework.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the corner of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Travellers find no available accommodations, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have vacated the building.

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

Further Delays

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

A local authority figure a council official has described it as a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

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

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts started not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the work.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been required one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant departed from the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said the ongoing project had obliged them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large banners on the structure to remind customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a city committee in early this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the façade would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the setback.

"We project starting to dismantle sections of the structure towards the end of the coming year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an better site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to bring it into the streetscape or develop something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They added: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by local residents and shops.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the complexity and size of the remedial 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 finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I echo the exasperation of locals and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has proved to be extremely complicated."