🔗 Share this article

Along the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers find no available accommodations, pedestrians are funneled through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be removed.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

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

Construction activity got underway shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the junction of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been required single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant quit the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its management said the ongoing project had compelled them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has placed large notices on the scaffold to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, referencing "highly complicated" construction issues for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to remove parts of the framework near the finish of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," they said.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we provide an better site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of heritage body the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that part of town really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to integrate it into the street view or produce something more creative and innovative."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "ideas to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They added: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

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

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I echo the exasperation of residents and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also appreciate that the company has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."