🔗 Share this article

Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city stands a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the junction of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are directed through tight corridors, and establishments have left the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

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

The city's political leader a city representative has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel 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 closed to guests since 2022.

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

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been required in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot quit the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its owners said building work had obliged them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of dining franchise a chain – which has displayed large notices on the scaffold to notify customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

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

But the firm has said that will not happen, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to remove portions of the framework towards the end of 2026, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of conservation group the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to reduce disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that section exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the urban landscape or produce something more artistic and innovative."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "measures to beautify the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by local residents and shops.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and scale of the repair work required, however we are committed to concluding this essential work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I echo the exasperation of inhabitants and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"However, I also acknowledge that the firm has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has been exceptionally difficult."