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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a giant structure of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the junction of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, walkers are squeezed through narrow walkways, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be dismantled.

The city's political leader a council official has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

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

Estimates from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts started not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been closed off by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been compelled single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a well-known restaurant 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 look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has placed large notices on the scaffold to notify customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a local authority committee in early this year stated that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that is not the case, pointing to "highly complicated" building problems for the postponement.

"We expect starting to take down sections of the framework near the finish of next year, with additional work proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of heritage body 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 "public duty" to lessen disturbance and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that part of town very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the street view or develop something more creative and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "ideas to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We recognize the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This has been a extended and complex process, highlighting the complexity and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this vital work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the city would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I share the frustration of inhabitants and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"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."