What's Happening with the Capital's Scaffold-Wrapped Hotel?

Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's historic capital stands a giant structure of construction framework.

For five years, the establishment on the intersection of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, walkers are squeezed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have abandoned the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could remain 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 structure can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the former local government offices in 2009.

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

Remedial efforts began not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of pavement leading up to the corner of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the project.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been required one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

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

In a comment, its management said construction activity had compelled them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large signs on the scaffold to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a city committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "revealing" the façade would start in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, referencing "highly complicated" building problems for the postponement.

"We project starting to remove parts of the scaffold close to the conclusion of next year, with further improvements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an improved site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, head of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

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

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

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to incorporate it within the street view or develop something more creative and avant-garde."

Project Response

A official statement said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

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

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the difficulty and size of the repair work required, however we are committed to finishing this essential work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

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

"That said, I also recognize that the contractor has a obligation to make the building secure and that this repair has turned out to be extremely complicated."