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Along the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a monolith of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

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

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be dismantled.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

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

Figures from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts got underway shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been compelled one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot left the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its management said construction activity had forced them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has displayed large banners on the framework to remind customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a city committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, referencing "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the delay.

"We project starting to take down sections of the structure close to the conclusion of next year, with further improvements ongoing after that," a statement read.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, head of preservation association the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to lessen disruption and should integrate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that section really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to bring it into the streetscape or produce something more creative and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They stated: "We recognize the annoyances felt by local residents and enterprises.

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

The council leader said the city would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the company has a duty to make the building secure and that this remediation has turned out to be extremely complicated."