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Along the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's historic capital looms a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the junction of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

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

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

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be removed.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

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

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Remedial efforts got underway soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the work.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been compelled single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment Ondine departed from the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a release, its operators said building work had obliged them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts dining franchise Pizza Express – which has hung large banners on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a city committee in January this year stated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would commence in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is not the case, pointing to "highly complicated" construction issues for the postponement.

"We expect starting to dismantle portions of the structure close to the conclusion of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, lead of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to lessen disruption and should integrate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that area of the city really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the urban landscape or develop something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "measures to beautify the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by the community and shops.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and scale of the remedial work required, however we are focused on concluding this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I echo the annoyance of inhabitants and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

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