🔗 Share this article

On one of the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's historic capital stands a monolith of construction framework.

For five years, the establishment on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are funneled through confined passages, and establishments have abandoned the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" 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 preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

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

Figures from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

Work on the building started shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the development.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been required in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant quit the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

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

It is also hosts dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has placed large banners on the structure to remind customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would commence in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, pointing to "highly complicated" building problems for the delay.

"We project starting to remove parts of the structure near the finish of 2026, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, lead of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that section very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to bring it into the urban landscape or develop something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

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

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

"This has been a extended and complex process, reflecting the difficulty and scale of the restoration required, however we are focused on finishing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the firm has a obligation to make the building safe and that this repair has been hugely complex."