The Ongoing Issue with the Capital's Scaffolding-Clad Hotel?

Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a giant structure of construction framework.

For half a decade, the establishment on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers find no available accommodations, pedestrians are squeezed through narrow walkways, and establishments have left the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be taken down.

A local authority figure a city representative has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

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

Projections from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Construction activity started shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the development.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been required single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment Ondine departed from the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said construction activity had compelled them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts popular eatery Pizza Express – which has displayed large banners on the structure to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would commence in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, citing "highly complicated" building problems for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle parts of the framework close to the conclusion of 2026, with further improvements ongoing after that," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an improved site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, director of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to incorporate it within the streetscape or develop something more creative and avant-garde."

Continued Work

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

They added: "We recognize the frustrations felt by local residents and businesses.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the complexity and scale of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this essential work as soon as is practicable."

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

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I share the annoyance of inhabitants and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

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