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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the junction of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, foot traffic are directed through confined passages, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be removed.

A local authority figure a council official has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

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

Work on the building began not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the work.

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

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant departed from the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its management said building work had obliged them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts dining franchise Pizza Express – which has placed large signs on the scaffold to inform customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a city committee in the start of the year stated 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, citing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to remove portions of the framework near the finish of next year, with additional work continuing thereafter," the company commented.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

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

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to reduce disruption and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to bring it into the urban landscape or create something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the complexity and size of the repair work required, however we are focused on completing this vital work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the city would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I echo the annoyance of locals and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the firm has a obligation to make the building safe and that this restoration has been exceptionally difficult."