The Ongoing Issue with Edinburgh's Plastic-Shrouded Hotel?

On one of the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's historic capital stands a monolith of construction framework.

For five years, the establishment on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, pedestrians are directed through narrow walkways, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be removed.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has called it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

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

Projections from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts began shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been forced single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery Ondine departed from the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said the ongoing project had forced them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also hosts popular eatery Pizza Express – which has displayed large signs on the framework to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

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

But SRM has said that is not the case, pointing to "highly complicated" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We project starting to take down parts of the structure close to the conclusion of 2026, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an improved 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 "slow" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to reduce disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that part of town really difficult.

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

Ongoing Efforts

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

They continued: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and scale of the restoration required, however we are focused on completing this vital work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the company has a obligation to make the building secure and that this restoration has turned out to be extremely complicated."