🔗 Share this article

Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares 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 corner of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, walkers are squeezed through tight corridors, and businesses have left the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be removed.

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

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

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

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

Remedial efforts got underway soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of pavement leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the development.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been compelled in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a popular spot departed from the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said construction activity had compelled them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has placed large signs on the scaffold to notify customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in early this year stated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would commence in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, referencing "extremely complex" building problems for the setback.

"We project starting to take down parts of the structure near the finish of the coming year, with additional work ongoing after that," they said.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an better site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, director of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise disruption and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that area of the city really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to integrate it into the streetscape or produce something more creative and innovative."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by local residents and shops.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the intricacy and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are focused on concluding this vital work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I echo the frustration of residents and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"However, I also appreciate that the company has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this repair has proved to be extremely complicated."