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Along the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of construction framework.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the intersection of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through tight corridors, and businesses have left the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be dismantled.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has called it a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Projections from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

Work on the building got underway soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the historic street have been closed off by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been compelled in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot left the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

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

It is also the location of dining franchise a chain – which has displayed large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year stated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would commence in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, citing "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to remove portions of the scaffold towards the end of the coming year, with further improvements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

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

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that section exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the streetscape or create something more artistic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They continued: "We understand the annoyances felt by the community and businesses.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and scale of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to completing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I share the annoyance of inhabitants and local businesses over these continued delays.

"That said, I also appreciate that the contractor has a duty to make the building safe and that this restoration has turned out to be hugely complex."