🔗 Share this article The Situation with Edinburgh's Scaffold-Wrapped Hotel? The protective structure encasing the hotel on a central thoroughfare may not be completely taken down until 2027. Along the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a giant structure of metal poles and platforms. For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore. Tourists cannot book rooms, walkers are squeezed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have vacated the building. Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027. Extended Timelines The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be dismantled. A local authority figure a city representative has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive". What is happening with this apparently perpetual project? Scaffold-free - how the hotel appears in its intended state on the brand's website. A Troubled History The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009. Projections from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m. Construction activity started soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022. A section of the street and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the project. Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been forced one after another into a tight, enclosed passage. A dining establishment a well-known restaurant quit the building and relocated to another city in 2024. In a statement, its operators said construction activity had forced them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better". It is also the location of restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large banners on the framework to notify customers it is still open. Pictures show the the property being built in September 2008 (left) and the scaffolding beginning in 2020 (right). Slipped Schedules An update to the a local authority committee in January this year stated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year. But SRM has said that is not the case, pointing to "extremely complex" building problems for the delay. "We project starting to remove parts of the structure close to the conclusion of next year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," the company commented. "We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an improved site for the public." Community and Heritage Concerns A conservation official, head of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" 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 aesthetic. She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that part of town really difficult. "I don't understand why there is not a try to integrate it into the streetscape or produce something more aesthetic and avant-garde." Pedestrians have been required to walk down a tight enclosed walkway on part of the street. Project Response A official statement said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing. They continued: "We understand the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses. "This represents a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the complexity and size of the repair work required, however we are focused on concluding this essential work as soon as is feasible." The official said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project. She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I understand the annoyance of inhabitants and area enterprises over these continued delays. "However, I also acknowledge that the company has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this restoration has turned out to be extremely complicated."