What's Happening with Edinburgh's Scaffold-Wrapped Hotel?

Along the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's historic capital looms a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For five years, the establishment on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are squeezed through narrow walkways, and businesses have vacated the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts began shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the project.

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

An eatery a well-known restaurant left the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said construction activity had forced them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to restaurant chain a chain – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to notify customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

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

But SRM has said that is not the case, referencing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the delay.

"We project starting to take down parts of the framework towards the end of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an improved site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, lead of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

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

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

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

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They stated: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the intricacy and size of the remedial work required, however we are focused on concluding this vital work as soon as is possible."

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

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

"That said, I also appreciate that the company has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this restoration has been hugely complex."