What's Happening with the Capital's Plastic-Shrouded Hotel?

Along the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of scaffolding.

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

Travellers find no available accommodations, pedestrians are directed through tight corridors, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be taken down.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual 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 originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Construction activity began shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the junction of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the project.

People on foot going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been required single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a popular spot left the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

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

It is also home to restaurant chain a chain – which has displayed large signs on the structure to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the delay.

"We project starting to remove sections of the framework close to the conclusion of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

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

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to reduce disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that section exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the street view or develop something more artistic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

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

They added: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and shops.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the complexity and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to completing this vital work as soon as is possible."

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

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I echo the annoyance of inhabitants and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also appreciate that the contractor has a obligation to make the building safe and that this repair has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."