The Situation with Edinburgh's Scaffolding-Clad Hotel?

Along the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, foot traffic are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be taken down.

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

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

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

Remedial efforts started shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been forced one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant Ondine left the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

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

It is also the location of restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large signs on the structure to remind customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year stated that the process of "exposing" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, pointing to "extremely complex" structural challenges for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to remove parts of the framework close to the conclusion of 2026, with further improvements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an enhanced site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of heritage body the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to incorporate it within the streetscape or develop something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

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

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the intricacy and size of the repair work required, however we are focused on concluding this vital work as soon as is feasible."

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

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

"However, I also recognize that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this restoration has been hugely complex."