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Along the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, the establishment on the corner of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, foot traffic are funneled through narrow walkways, and establishments have vacated the building.

Remedial work commenced 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

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be removed.

A local authority figure a council official has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

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

Estimates from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building started shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of pavement leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been required single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a popular spot left the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said the ongoing project had compelled them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has hung large banners on the structure to inform customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the façade would commence in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, referencing "extremely complex" building problems for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to remove sections of the structure close to the conclusion of 2026, with additional work continuing thereafter," they said.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

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

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to reduce inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that section very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the urban landscape or develop something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They stated: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by local residents and shops.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the difficulty and size of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

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

"That said, I also acknowledge that the firm has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has turned out to be extremely complicated."