What's Happening with the Capital's Scaffold-Wrapped Hotel?

Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city looms a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, foot traffic are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have abandoned the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Remedial efforts started soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the corner of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been required one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant Ondine departed from the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

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

It is also the location of restaurant chain a chain – which has placed large banners on the structure to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a local authority committee in early this year stated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would start in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, referencing "highly complicated" construction issues for the setback.

"We expect starting to dismantle parts of the scaffold close to the conclusion of next year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," they said.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an improved site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to lessen disturbance and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

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

Project Response

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

They continued: "We understand the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the difficulty and size of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to completing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I share the annoyance of inhabitants and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this remediation has proved to be exceptionally difficult."