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Along the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's ancient city stands a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For half a decade, the establishment on the corner of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors find no available accommodations, walkers are funneled through narrow walkways, and establishments have vacated the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be removed.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Construction activity started shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been forced in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a popular spot departed from the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said construction activity had forced them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large notices on the framework to notify customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An report to the a city committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would begin in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, citing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to remove sections of the structure towards the end of next year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to minimise disruption and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that section very hard.

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

Ongoing Efforts

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

They continued: "We understand the irritations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the difficulty and size of the repair work required, however we are focused on finishing this essential work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I share the annoyance of residents and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the company has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this remediation has proved to be exceptionally difficult."