🔗 Share this article

On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's historic capital looms a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the corner of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors find no available accommodations, walkers are squeezed through narrow walkways, and businesses have vacated the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be taken down.

A local authority figure a city representative has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

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

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Remedial efforts began soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of footpath leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the project.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been forced one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a well-known restaurant quit the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said construction activity had compelled them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to popular eatery Pizza Express – which has displayed large banners on the structure to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a local authority committee in January this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would commence in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, citing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to remove parts of the scaffold near the finish of next year, with further improvements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an improved site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, director of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" 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 really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to integrate it into the street view or create something more aesthetic and innovative."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was continuing.

They added: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by the community and shops.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the difficulty and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are committed to completing this essential work as soon as is possible."

The official said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I understand the annoyance of residents and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has proved to be exceptionally difficult."