The Ongoing Issue with Edinburgh's Plastic-Shrouded Hotel?

Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's ancient city sits a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, foot traffic are directed through narrow walkways, and businesses have left the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), 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 called it a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The establishment with 136 rooms was built on the site of the former local government offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts started shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of pavement leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been left out of action by the development.

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

A dining establishment a popular spot quit the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its management said the ongoing project had forced them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of popular eatery a chain – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to remind customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would begin in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, citing "highly complicated" building problems for the setback.

"We expect starting to take down portions of the scaffold near the finish of 2026, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of heritage body the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to reduce disruption and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that section exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the street view or develop something more creative and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They continued: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the complexity and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are committed to concluding this vital work as soon as is possible."

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

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I understand the frustration of locals and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

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