🔗 Share this article

On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits a imposing sight of construction framework.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, pedestrians are squeezed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have left the building.

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

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be dismantled.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has described it as a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

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

Figures from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts got underway soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the development.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been compelled one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a popular spot quit the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said the ongoing project had forced them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has hung large banners on the structure to notify customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a city committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "exposing" 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 "extremely complex" building problems for the postponement.

"We expect starting to take down parts of the structure close to the conclusion of the coming year, with additional work proceeding afterwards," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, director of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to reduce inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's design.

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

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to bring it into the urban landscape or create something more creative and innovative."

Project Response

A official statement said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

They added: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by the community and businesses.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the intricacy and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to completing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the exasperation of residents and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"However, I also recognize that the contractor has a duty to make the building safe and that this remediation has turned out to be extremely complicated."