The Situation with the Capital's Plastic-Shrouded Hotel?

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

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the junction of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and businesses have left the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

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

Figures from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building began shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of pavement leading up to the junction of the historic street have been closed off by the development.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been forced in a line into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment Ondine quit the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

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

It is also hosts dining franchise Pizza Express – which has displayed large notices on the structure to remind customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a city committee in early this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the setback.

"We expect starting to take down sections of the framework towards the end of next year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an improved site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, head of heritage body the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disruption and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to bring it into the streetscape or develop something more creative and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This has been a extended and complex process, highlighting the difficulty and scale of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I share the exasperation of locals and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also recognize that the company has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this remediation has turned out to be extremely complicated."