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

For five years, a prominent hotel on the corner of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, foot traffic are funneled through confined passages, and businesses have left the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

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

Projections from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

Work on the building started soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the project.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been compelled in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery Ondine departed from the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said construction activity had compelled them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of popular eatery Pizza Express – which has hung large banners on the structure to notify customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year stated that the process of "uncovering" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, pointing to "highly complicated" structural challenges for the delay.

"We expect starting to dismantle portions of the framework towards the end of next year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we create an improved site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, director of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

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

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

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to bring it into the streetscape or produce something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, highlighting the complexity and scale of the restoration required, however we are focused on finishing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the frustration of locals and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also appreciate that the contractor has a duty to make the building safe and that this restoration has proved to be hugely complex."