🔗 Share this article

Along the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's historic capital stands a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the junction of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are funneled through tight corridors, and establishments have vacated the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be taken down.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has described it as a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Construction activity started soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the project.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been forced one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a popular spot quit the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

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

It is also the location of restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has hung large notices on the structure to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "revealing" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that is not the case, pointing to "extremely complex" structural challenges for the setback.

"We expect starting to take down parts of the scaffold close to the conclusion of next year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an better site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, director of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise disturbance and should integrate the work into the city's aesthetic.

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

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to bring it into the street view or produce something more creative and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They stated: "We understand the annoyances felt by the community and shops.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the intricacy and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are committed to concluding this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I echo the exasperation of locals and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the contractor has a obligation to make the building secure and that this remediation has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."