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

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

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, walkers are squeezed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be dismantled.

A local authority figure a city representative has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Remedial efforts got underway not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been closed off by the development.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been forced one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant Ondine left the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its operators said the ongoing project had forced them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has placed large signs on the structure to inform customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a local authority committee in January this year stated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, citing "highly complicated" building problems for the postponement.

"We project starting to remove parts of the framework close to the conclusion of the coming year, with additional work ongoing after that," a statement read.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we provide an better site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, lead of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to minimise disturbance and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to integrate it into the street view or produce something more artistic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We understand the irritations felt by local residents and shops.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, demonstrating the complexity and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are committed to finishing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the company has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has turned out to be extremely complicated."