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

Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's historic capital sits a giant structure of construction framework.

For five years, the establishment on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, foot traffic are funneled through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

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

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has called it 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 previous local government offices in 2009.

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

Construction activity got underway not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the work.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been required single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant quit the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a release, its management said building work had compelled them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

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

Missed Deadlines

An report to the a city committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would start in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We project starting to remove portions of the structure towards the end of the coming year, with further improvements ongoing after that," a statement read.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, head of conservation group the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to reduce disruption and should integrate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that section very hard.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to bring it into the street view or develop something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They continued: "We recognize the annoyances felt by the community and enterprises.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the difficulty and scale of the restoration required, however we are focused on finishing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a negative presence for years, and I share the frustration of inhabitants and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also recognize that the contractor has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."