🔗 Share this article The Situation with Edinburgh's Scaffolding-Clad Hotel? The protective structure encasing the hotel on George IV Bridge may not be entirely dismantled until 2027. Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a imposing sight of construction framework. For the past 60 months, the establishment on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore. Visitors are unable to reserve stays, walkers are directed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have vacated the building. Repair work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027. Extended Timelines Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be taken down. The city's political leader a city representative has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive". What is going on with this apparently perpetual project? Scaffold-free - how the hotel looks in its intended state on the brand's website. Background Issues The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009. Projections from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds. Work on the building got underway soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022. A lane of traffic and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the work. People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been compelled in a line into a tight, enclosed passage. An eatery a well-known restaurant quit the building and relocated to another city in 2024. In a release, its owners said the ongoing project had obliged them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience". It is also hosts dining franchise a chain – which has placed large signs on the structure to inform customers it is operating as usual. Pictures show the the property being built in September 2008 (left) and the work beginning in 2020 (right). Slipped Schedules An update to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would start in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year. But the contractor has said that is incorrect, pointing to "extremely complex" construction issues for the setback. "We anticipate starting to dismantle parts of the structure towards the end of 2026, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," a statement read. "Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the community." Community and Heritage Concerns A conservation official, head of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects. She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to reduce disruption and should blend the work into the city's streetscape. She said: "It renders the walking experience in that part of town very hard. "I don't understand why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the urban landscape or develop something more creative and innovative." Shoppers have been forced to walk down a confined sheltered walkway on a section of the road. Continued Work A company representative said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing. They continued: "We understand the frustrations felt by local residents and shops. "This has been a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the complexity and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are focused on finishing this vital work as soon as is possible." Ms Meagher said the council would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project. She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I echo the exasperation of residents and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements. "However, I also acknowledge that the firm has a obligation to make the building secure and that this repair has been exceptionally difficult."