What's Happening with Edinburgh's Scaffolding-Clad Hotel?

Along the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, foot traffic are squeezed through tight corridors, and establishments have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, 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 "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be removed.

A local authority figure a council official has described it as a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Work on the building started shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road 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 a neighboring street have been compelled in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a well-known restaurant left the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said the ongoing project had forced them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts restaurant chain a chain – which has placed large banners on the scaffold to remind customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a city committee in January this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the façade would start in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle portions of the scaffold close to the conclusion of next year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an better site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, head of preservation association the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to reduce inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

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 integrate it into the street view or develop something more aesthetic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They added: "We recognize the annoyances felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, reflecting the difficulty and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are focused on concluding this essential work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I echo the frustration of locals and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the company has a obligation to make the building secure and that this remediation has proved to be exceptionally difficult."