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

Along the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a monolith of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the corner of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through tight corridors, and businesses have left the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

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

Figures from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Remedial efforts started not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of pavement leading up to the junction of the historic street have been left out of action by the development.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been compelled in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot left the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said the ongoing project had forced them to modify 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 framework to notify customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would begin in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, referencing "exceptionally intricate" structural challenges for the setback.

"We expect starting to dismantle sections of the structure close to the conclusion of 2026, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an better site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to reduce disruption and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

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

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to integrate it into the streetscape or produce something more creative and innovative."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We recognize the annoyances felt by the community and businesses.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the difficulty and scale of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to finishing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this remediation has proved to be hugely complex."