🔗 Share this article

Along the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are squeezed through tight corridors, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be removed.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

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

Projections from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Construction activity got underway shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been closed off by the development.

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

An eatery Ondine left the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its management said building work had compelled them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to dining franchise a chain – which has placed large banners on the scaffold to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a local authority committee in early this year suggested that the process of "exposing" the frontage would commence in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is not the case, pointing to "extremely complex" construction issues for the postponement.

"We project starting to dismantle parts of the scaffold near the finish of 2026, with further improvements ongoing after that," the company commented.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

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

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

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that area of the city really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to bring it into the urban landscape or produce something more creative and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to beautify the site" was in progress.

They added: "We understand the irritations felt by local residents and enterprises.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the difficulty and scale of the repair work required, however we are committed to completing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I echo the frustration of residents and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

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