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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the junction of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, 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 short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be taken down.

A local authority figure a council official has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was constructed 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 build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity started not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been compelled in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

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

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

It is also the location of dining franchise a chain – which has placed large signs on the framework to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year stated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, pointing to "extremely complex" building problems for the setback.

"We project starting to remove sections of the framework towards the end of 2026, with further improvements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an better site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of preservation association the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

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

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to incorporate it within the urban landscape or create something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

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

They stated: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by the community and businesses.

"This has been a extended and complex process, highlighting the difficulty and size of the remedial work required, however we are committed to finishing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I echo the exasperation of residents and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the firm has a duty to make the building safe and that this remediation has been exceptionally difficult."