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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's ancient city looms a giant structure of construction framework.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the junction of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, pedestrians are squeezed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be taken down.

A local authority figure a council official has described it as a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was built on the site of the former local government offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts began soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the historic street have been left out of action by the work.

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

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant left the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said construction activity had forced them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has hung large signs on the structure to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "revealing" the façade would begin in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

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

"We anticipate starting to take down sections of the scaffold towards the end of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," they said.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an improved site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, head of preservation association the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to minimise disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the streetscape or create something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Project Response

A official statement said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by the community and businesses.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the complexity and size of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

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

"However, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has proved to be hugely complex."