The Ongoing Issue with the Capital's Plastic-Shrouded Hotel?

Along the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's historic capital 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 covered eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, pedestrians are funneled through confined passages, and businesses have vacated the building.

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

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be dismantled.

The city's political leader a city representative has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

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

Remedial efforts got underway not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the project.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been compelled in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant departed from the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said the ongoing project had compelled them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to dining franchise Pizza Express – which has placed large notices on the structure to remind customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

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

But SRM has said that is incorrect, referencing "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the delay.

"We expect starting to remove portions of the scaffold close to the conclusion of next year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

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

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that part of town really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the street view or develop something more artistic and avant-garde."

Project Response

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

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

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the intricacy and size of the repair work required, however we are focused on completing this vital work as soon as is possible."

The official said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

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

"However, I also recognize that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has proved to be hugely complex."