What's Happening with the Capital's Scaffolding-Clad Hotel?

Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's ancient city looms a imposing sight of construction framework.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are squeezed through narrow walkways, and establishments have left the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

Work on the building got underway shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the project.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been forced one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant departed from the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its management said building work had obliged them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of popular eatery Pizza Express – which has displayed large signs on the scaffold to remind customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

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

But SRM has said that will not happen, citing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the setback.

"We project starting to take down portions of the scaffold near the finish of 2026, with additional work ongoing after that," a statement read.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, head of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disruption and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to bring it into the streetscape or develop something more aesthetic and innovative."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

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

"This has been a extended and complex process, demonstrating the difficulty and size of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to concluding this vital work as soon as is possible."

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

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I share the exasperation of residents and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also recognize that the company has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."