The Situation with Edinburgh's Scaffold-Wrapped Hotel?

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

For half a decade, the establishment on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

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

Repair work started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be taken down.

A local authority figure a council official has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

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

Projections from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Remedial efforts began shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the junction of the historic street have been left out of action by the development.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been forced single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant Ondine left the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its owners said construction activity had obliged them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to restaurant chain a chain – which has displayed large notices on the framework to inform customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a local authority committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, citing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We project starting to take down sections of the framework towards the end of next year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we provide an better site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, director of conservation group the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to reduce disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to integrate it into the street view or produce something more artistic and innovative."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

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

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the difficulty and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are focused on concluding this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I share the frustration of residents and local businesses over these continued delays.

"However, I also recognize that the firm has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has turned out to be extremely complicated."