The Situation with the Capital's Scaffold-Wrapped Hotel?

Along the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's ancient city stands a giant structure of construction framework.

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

Visitors cannot book rooms, pedestrians are funneled through narrow walkways, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts got underway soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the historic street have been closed off by the project.

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

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant departed from the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said the ongoing project had forced them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has displayed large banners on the scaffold to remind customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

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

But SRM has said that is incorrect, citing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to take down parts of the scaffold towards the end of next year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we provide an improved site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

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

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that area of the city really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the street view or produce something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A official statement said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We recognize the annoyances felt by local residents and shops.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the complexity and magnitude of the remedial work required, however we are focused on completing this vital work as soon as is possible."

The council leader said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I echo the annoyance of inhabitants and local businesses over these continued delays.

"However, I also recognize that the firm has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this restoration has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."