The Situation with the Capital's Plastic-Shrouded Hotel?

Along the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's historic capital looms a giant structure of scaffolding.

For half a decade, the establishment on the corner of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

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

Repair work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

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

A local authority figure a city representative has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts started shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the historic street have been left out of action by the work.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been required single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

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

In a statement, its management said the ongoing project had compelled them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has placed large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a city committee in January this year suggested that the process of "revealing" the exterior would begin in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, citing "extremely complex" building problems for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle parts of the framework near the finish of next year, with additional work ongoing after that," a statement read.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an improved site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce disruption and should integrate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that section very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the street view or create something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was continuing.

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

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the intricacy and size of the restoration required, however we are focused on concluding this necessary work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I understand the exasperation of locals and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a obligation to make the building safe and that this repair has been extremely complicated."