The Situation with Edinburgh's Scaffolding-Clad Hotel?

Along the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's historic capital sits a giant structure of scaffolding.

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

Travellers cannot book rooms, walkers are directed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be taken down.

The city's political leader a city representative has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was built on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

Figures from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Remedial efforts got underway not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the development.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been compelled single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery Ondine quit the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its management said the ongoing project had obliged them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts restaurant chain a chain – which has hung large signs on the scaffold to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year stated that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would commence in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, citing "extremely complex" building problems for the setback.

"We expect starting to take down portions of the framework near the finish of next year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an improved 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 construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disruption and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that area of the city really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the urban landscape or produce something more artistic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the difficulty and size of the restoration required, however we are committed to completing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I share the annoyance of residents and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has proved to be hugely complex."