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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's historic capital stands a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the intersection of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, pedestrians are squeezed through tight corridors, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be taken down.

A local authority figure a council official has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

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

Work on the building started shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been left out of action by the work.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been compelled one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant left the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its operators said building work had obliged them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has hung large banners on the framework to notify customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a local authority committee in January this year stated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would start in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is not the case, referencing "extremely complex" construction issues for the setback.

"We expect starting to take down parts of the scaffold near the finish of the coming year, with additional work continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an better site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of conservation group the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to reduce inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that part of town very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to integrate it into the street view or develop something more artistic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They continued: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by local residents and businesses.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the complexity and size of the repair work required, however we are committed to finishing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

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

"That said, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has turned out to be extremely complicated."