🔗 Share this article

On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the junction of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers find no available accommodations, foot traffic are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have left the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be removed.

A local authority figure a city representative has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

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

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about a significant sum.

Construction activity started not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been forced one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery Ondine quit the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its owners said the ongoing project had compelled them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts dining franchise Pizza Express – which has hung large notices on the structure to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in early this year stated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would begin in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, citing "highly complicated" building problems for the setback.

"We project starting to dismantle portions of the scaffold towards the end of next year, with additional work proceeding afterwards," they said.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an improved site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

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

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that section really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the street view or develop something more aesthetic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They added: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, reflecting the difficulty and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are committed to concluding this essential work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I echo the frustration of residents and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."