🔗 Share this article

On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's historic capital sits a giant structure of construction framework.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists cannot book rooms, pedestrians are directed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be taken down.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building began soon 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 corner of the historic street have been left out of action by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been forced in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant Ondine departed from the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said the ongoing project had compelled them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, pointing to "extremely complex" construction issues for the setback.

"We project starting to remove sections of the structure towards the end of next year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an improved site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, director of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to lessen disturbance and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that part of town very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to integrate it into the urban landscape or produce something more creative and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

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

They added: "We recognize the irritations felt by local residents and businesses.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, highlighting the difficulty and size of the remedial work required, however we are focused on completing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

The official said the council would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I understand the exasperation of locals and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the firm has a duty to make the building secure and that this remediation has proved to be exceptionally difficult."