🔗 Share this article

Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's ancient city looms a giant structure of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the intersection of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers find no available accommodations, foot traffic are squeezed through tight corridors, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could stay in place 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 frame can be removed.

The city's political leader a city representative has described it as a "eyesore" 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 developed on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Work on the building started soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been closed off by the work.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been required in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant departed from the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its management said the ongoing project had forced them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts dining franchise Pizza Express – which has displayed large notices on the framework to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a city committee in early this year stated that the process of "exposing" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is not the case, citing "extremely complex" construction issues for the delay.

"We expect starting to dismantle portions of the structure near the finish of next year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an improved site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disruption and should blend the work into the city's design.

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

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the street view or create something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

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

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

"This has been a extended and complex process, demonstrating the intricacy and size of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to concluding this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the council would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the company has a duty to make the building safe and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."