What's Happening with the Capital's Plastic-Shrouded Hotel?

Along the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of construction framework.

For half a decade, the establishment on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors find no available accommodations, foot traffic are funneled through confined passages, and establishments have vacated the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be dismantled.

The city's political leader a council official has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Construction activity began shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of pavement leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the project.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been compelled in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot left the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a release, its operators said construction activity had forced them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to popular eatery a chain – which has placed large notices on the framework to notify customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a local authority committee in early this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would commence in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

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

"We anticipate starting to take down parts of the structure near the finish of 2026, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an improved site for the community."

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 "slow" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to lessen inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the pedestrian experience in that section really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to bring it into the street view or produce something more artistic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was continuing.

They added: "We understand the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and scale of the remedial work required, however we are focused on finishing this essential work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I share the annoyance of locals and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"However, I also acknowledge that the company has a obligation to make the building secure and that this remediation has proved to be hugely complex."