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On one of the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits a giant structure of scaffolding.

For half a decade, the establishment on the corner of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Travellers find no available accommodations, walkers are squeezed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be removed.

The city's political leader a council official has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

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

Projections from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building got underway not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been forced single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery a popular spot left the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its management said building work had forced them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to dining franchise Pizza Express – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a city committee in January this year stated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would begin in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But SRM has said that is not the case, referencing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the delay.

"We expect starting to take down sections of the scaffold near the finish of next year, with further improvements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an better site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of conservation group the a local association, 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 incorporate the work into the city's design.

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

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to integrate it into the street view or develop something more creative and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They stated: "We understand the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the intricacy and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are committed to concluding this essential work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I understand the exasperation of inhabitants and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the firm has a obligation to make the building safe and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."