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

Along the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a giant structure of scaffolding.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the junction of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors find no available accommodations, foot traffic are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have left the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be dismantled.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it first opened under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Construction activity started soon after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been closed off by the work.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been required single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment Ondine departed from the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said building work had obliged them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An report to the a city committee in January this year stated that the process of "exposing" the façade would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

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

"We anticipate starting to take down sections of the structure towards the end of next year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, head of heritage body the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the experience for those on foot in that area of the city really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to integrate it into the streetscape or create something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

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

"This represents a extended and complex process, highlighting the complexity and scale of the repair work required, however we are committed to finishing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

The official said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I understand the annoyance of residents and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the company has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this repair has been extremely complicated."