The Ongoing Issue with Edinburgh's Scaffolding-Clad Hotel?

Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits a monolith of scaffolding.

For half a decade, the establishment on the junction of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists find no available accommodations, walkers are funneled through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be removed.

A local authority figure a council official has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the former local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Construction activity got underway soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the corner of the historic street have been closed off by the work.

Pedestrians 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 Ondine left the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its management said building work had forced them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts dining franchise a chain – which has hung large banners on the structure to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a local authority committee in early this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, pointing to "highly complicated" construction issues for the delay.

"We project starting to dismantle parts of the framework close to the conclusion of 2026, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an better site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of conservation group the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the street view or produce something more artistic and avant-garde."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was continuing.

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

"This represents a extended and complex process, reflecting the difficulty and scale of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to concluding this essential work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the firm has a duty to make the building secure and that this remediation has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."