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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's historic capital looms a monolith of construction framework.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the intersection of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers cannot book rooms, foot traffic are funneled through confined passages, and establishments have vacated the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts got underway soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of footpath leading up to the junction of the historic street have been left out of action by the project.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been required single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a popular spot left the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said building work had forced them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also the location of dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has placed large signs on the structure to notify customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

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

But the contractor has said that will not happen, referencing "extremely complex" construction issues for the setback.

"We project starting to remove sections of the structure near the finish of the coming year, with additional work proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an improved site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, lead of preservation association the Cockburn 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 "civic responsibility" to lessen disruption and should integrate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that part of town very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to bring it into the urban landscape or produce something more creative and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

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

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

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the difficulty and scale of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to completing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I share the annoyance of locals and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also appreciate that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has proved to be extremely complicated."