🔗 Share this article

Along the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a monolith of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists cannot book rooms, foot traffic are squeezed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could stay in place 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 frame can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

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

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Work on the building got underway shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the development.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been forced single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

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

In a comment, its management said building work had compelled them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a city committee in early this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would start in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, pointing to "extremely complex" construction issues for the postponement.

"We project starting to remove parts of the structure near the finish of 2026, with additional work proceeding afterwards," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of heritage body the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

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

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

Project Response

A project spokesperson 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 has been a extended and complex process, reflecting the intricacy and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this vital work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I understand the annoyance of locals and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"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."