What's Happening with Edinburgh's Plastic-Shrouded Hotel?

Along the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's ancient city sits a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, walkers are directed through narrow walkways, and businesses have left the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure 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 frame can be taken down.

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

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

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

Estimates from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building started shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been closed off by the project.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been required single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment Ondine left the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

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

It is also the location of dining franchise Pizza Express – which has hung large notices on the framework to inform customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An report to the a local authority committee in early this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the exterior would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, referencing "extremely complex" construction issues for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle sections of the structure towards the end of 2026, with additional work proceeding afterwards," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we create an enhanced site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disruption and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that part of town really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to integrate it into the streetscape or produce something more creative and avant-garde."

Project Response

A official statement said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

They stated: "We recognize the annoyances felt by the community and enterprises.

"This represents a extended and complex process, reflecting the complexity and size of the remedial work required, however we are committed to completing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I share the exasperation of locals and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a duty to make the building secure and that this restoration has proved to be extremely complicated."