🔗 Share this article

Along the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

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

Visitors cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

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

The city's political leader a council official has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Projections from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts began not long 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 pavement leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the development.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been compelled one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment Ondine quit the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said construction activity had obliged them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

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

Delayed Plans

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

But the firm has said that is incorrect, referencing "extremely complex" construction issues for the postponement.

"We expect starting to remove portions of the scaffold towards the end of the coming year, with additional work continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we provide an better site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to lessen inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that part of town very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the urban landscape or create something more artistic and innovative."

Continued Work

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

They continued: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by the community and shops.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the intricacy and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are focused on concluding this essential work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

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

"That said, I also recognize that the contractor has a obligation to make the building safe and that this restoration has proved to be hugely complex."