🔗 Share this article

Along the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's historic capital looms a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are funneled through confined passages, and establishments have left the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be taken down.

A local authority figure a council official has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building got underway soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been required in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot departed from the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said construction activity had obliged them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has hung large banners on the structure to remind customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

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

But the contractor has said that is not the case, citing "highly complicated" building problems for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle portions of the scaffold towards the end of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, lead of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disruption and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that area of the city really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the urban landscape or create something more creative and avant-garde."

Project Response

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

They continued: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by the community and shops.

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

Ms Meagher said the council would "maintain pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the exasperation of residents and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the company has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has been extremely complicated."