The Ongoing Issue with the Capital's Plastic-Shrouded Hotel?

Along the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's historic capital looms a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel 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 directed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be removed.

A local authority figure a city representative has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

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

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts started not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of footpath leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the work.

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

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant left the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said building work had forced them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

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

Delayed Plans

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year stated that the process of "revealing" the frontage would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

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

"We project starting to dismantle sections of the structure near the finish of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

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

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

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

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the urban landscape or develop something more aesthetic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We understand the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, highlighting the difficulty and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are focused on finishing this essential work as soon as is possible."

The official said the council would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I echo the frustration of residents and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also acknowledge that the company has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."