🔗 Share this article

On one of the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's historic capital sits a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For five years, the establishment on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers cannot book rooms, walkers are squeezed through tight corridors, and businesses have left the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

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

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

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

Figures from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Work on the building started not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been required one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

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

In a comment, its management said the ongoing project had obliged them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large banners on the scaffold to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a local authority committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would commence in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, referencing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the delay.

"We project starting to remove portions of the structure towards the end of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an improved site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of heritage body the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to bring it into the street view or create something more creative and avant-garde."

Project Response

A official statement said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We understand the frustrations felt by the community and businesses.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the intricacy and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are committed to concluding this necessary work as soon as is possible."

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

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I share the annoyance of locals and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this restoration has been hugely complex."