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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the junction of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, walkers are funneled through narrow walkways, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework 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 first sections of the structure can be taken down.

A local authority figure a city representative has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

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

Projections from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about a significant sum.

Work on the building started soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of footpath leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace 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 release, its owners said construction activity had compelled them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts popular eatery a chain – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a city committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would start in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, citing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to remove sections of the structure towards the end of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we create an improved site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the pedestrian experience in that section very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to integrate it into the street view or create something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

They added: "We recognize the annoyances felt by the community and shops.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the difficulty and scale of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to completing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I understand the exasperation of inhabitants and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the firm has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this remediation has been exceptionally difficult."