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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's ancient city stands a monolith of scaffolding.

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

Travellers cannot book rooms, walkers are squeezed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have left the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a short period, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be removed.

The city's political leader a council official has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Work on the building got underway not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the development.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been compelled one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant Ondine left the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said the ongoing project had forced them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of dining franchise a chain – which has displayed large notices on the scaffold to remind customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a city committee in January this year stated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would start in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that is not the case, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the delay.

"We expect starting to remove portions of the scaffold close to the conclusion of next year, with additional work ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an improved site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, director of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that part of town exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to bring it into the street view or produce something more artistic and innovative."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "measures to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

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

"This constitutes a extended and complex process, highlighting the difficulty and size of the repair work required, however we are focused on completing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I share the frustration of inhabitants and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also appreciate that the contractor has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."