What's Happening with Edinburgh's Plastic-Shrouded Hotel?

On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For five years, the establishment on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, walkers are squeezed through confined passages, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be dismantled.

The city's political leader a council official has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

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

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the historic street have been closed off by the project.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been compelled one after another 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 owners said building work had obliged them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts popular eatery Pizza Express – which has placed large banners on the scaffold to inform customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year stated that the process of "uncovering" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

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

"We anticipate starting to dismantle portions of the structure close to the conclusion of the coming year, with additional work proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen disruption and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that part of town very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to bring it into the street view or create something more aesthetic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We recognize the frustrations felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the difficulty and size of the repair work required, however we are focused on finishing this vital work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the firm has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this restoration has been extremely complicated."