🔗 Share this article

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

For five years, the establishment on the junction of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are directed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be taken down.

A local authority figure a city representative has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

Projections from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Construction activity got underway shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

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

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

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant left the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said construction activity had forced them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a chain – which has placed large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a local authority committee in early this year suggested that the process of "exposing" the exterior would commence in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, referencing "highly complicated" construction issues for the setback.

"We project starting to dismantle sections of the scaffold close to the conclusion of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, director of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disruption and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

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

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

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We understand the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This has been a extended and complex process, demonstrating the difficulty and scale of the restoration required, however we are committed to finishing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I share the annoyance of locals and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"That said, I also appreciate that the contractor has a obligation to make the building safe and that this remediation has been hugely complex."