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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's ancient city stands a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the corner of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, walkers are squeezed through tight corridors, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be removed.

A local authority figure a city representative has called it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Construction activity got underway not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a large section of footpath leading up to the corner of the historic street have been closed off by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been forced in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a popular spot left the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

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

It is also hosts popular eatery a chain – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An report to the a local authority committee in January this year stated that the process of "revealing" the façade would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the postponement.

"We project starting to dismantle parts of the scaffold near the finish of next year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"We are working closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an improved site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to minimise disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

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

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to incorporate it within the urban landscape or create something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We recognize the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

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

Ms Meagher said the city would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I share the exasperation of residents and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also appreciate that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this restoration has turned out to be extremely complicated."