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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's historic capital looms a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, the establishment on the junction of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers cannot book rooms, pedestrians are directed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have left the building.

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

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be dismantled.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

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

Projections from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts began shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the project.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been compelled in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a popular spot quit the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its operators said building work had forced them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of dining franchise Pizza Express – which has hung large notices on the structure to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a city committee in January this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the façade would begin in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, referencing "extremely complex" construction issues for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to take down sections of the framework close to the conclusion of the coming year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, head of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to bring it into the street view or develop something more artistic and avant-garde."

Project Response

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

They added: "We recognize the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the difficulty and size of the repair work required, however we are committed to completing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

The official said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

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

"That said, I also recognize that the company has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has proved to be hugely complex."