🔗 Share this article

Along the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the intersection of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, walkers are directed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Projections from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts started not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of pavement leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been closed off by the development.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been forced single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

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

In a statement, its owners said the ongoing project had obliged them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of dining franchise Pizza Express – which has hung large notices on the framework to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year suggested that the process of "exposing" the exterior would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

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

"We expect starting to remove portions of the scaffold close to the conclusion of the coming year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, director of conservation group the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that area of the city really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the urban landscape or develop something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

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

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the difficulty and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

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

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

"However, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a obligation to make the building safe and that this repair has turned out to be extremely complicated."