🔗 Share this article

Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's ancient city stands a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, pedestrians are squeezed through narrow walkways, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be dismantled.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has called it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

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

Projections from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Construction activity got underway not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the work.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been forced one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

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

In a release, its management said the ongoing project had forced them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has placed large banners on the structure to notify customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in early this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would begin in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But SRM has said that is not the case, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement.

"We project starting to remove portions of the structure close to the conclusion of 2026, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an improved site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, director of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to integrate it into the streetscape or create something more creative and innovative."

Project Response

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

They stated: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the difficulty and size of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this essential work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

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

"That said, I also appreciate that the contractor has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has turned out to be extremely complicated."