What's Happening with Edinburgh's Scaffold-Wrapped Hotel?

On one of the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's historic capital stands a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are squeezed through narrow walkways, and businesses have left the building.

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

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

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

Part of the road and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been left out of action by the work.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been compelled in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant quit the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its management said the ongoing project had obliged them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to popular eatery Pizza Express – which has placed large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a local authority committee in early this year stated that the process of "uncovering" the façade would start in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, referencing "extremely complex" building problems for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to remove parts of the structure close to the conclusion of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," they said.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an improved site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to reduce disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to bring it into the street view or create something more creative and avant-garde."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We recognize the annoyances felt by the community and enterprises.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the difficulty and size of the remedial work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this essential work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the exasperation of residents and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has proved to be exceptionally difficult."