🔗 Share this article

Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's ancient city looms a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, the establishment on the junction of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers find no available accommodations, foot traffic are squeezed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has called it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

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

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Work on the building began not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the historic street have been left out of action by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been forced in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant Ondine departed from the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said construction activity had compelled them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

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

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a local authority committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, pointing to "highly complicated" construction issues for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle portions of the scaffold near the finish of the coming year, with additional work continuing thereafter," they said.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an enhanced site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, director of heritage body the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to lessen inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that part of town really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to bring it into the urban landscape or develop something more creative and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They stated: "We understand the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the difficulty and size of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to concluding this essential work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I share the exasperation of residents and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a obligation to make the building safe and that this repair has turned out to be hugely complex."