🔗 Share this article

On one of the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a giant structure of scaffolding.

For half a decade, the establishment on the intersection of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are directed through narrow walkways, and businesses have vacated the building.

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

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the scaffold can be dismantled.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Remedial efforts started shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been closed off by the project.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been required single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

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

In a release, its management said construction activity had compelled them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has placed large signs on the framework to notify customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would commence in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is not the case, citing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the setback.

"We expect starting to remove portions of the framework near the finish of next year, with additional work continuing thereafter," the company commented.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, head of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that section exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to bring it into the streetscape or create something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We recognize the frustrations felt by the community and businesses.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the difficulty and scale of the repair work required, however we are focused on completing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the annoyance of locals and nearby shops over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the company has a duty to make the building secure and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."