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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the corner of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists cannot book rooms, pedestrians are directed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be taken down.

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

What is transpiring 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.

Estimates from when it first opened 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 not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been closed off by the project.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been required single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery Ondine quit the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said the ongoing project had compelled them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has placed large signs on the scaffold to notify customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a local authority committee in January this year stated that the process of "uncovering" the façade would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the firm has said that will not happen, referencing "highly complicated" construction issues for the postponement.

"We project starting to remove sections of the framework close to the conclusion of next year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we create an enhanced site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to reduce disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the pedestrian experience in that area of the city very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to bring it into the streetscape or develop something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A official statement said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

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

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the complexity and size of the repair work required, however we are focused on concluding this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I echo the annoyance of inhabitants and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

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