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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's ancient city stands a giant structure of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the intersection of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are funneled through tight corridors, and businesses have left the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the structure can be dismantled.

The city's political leader a council official has called it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

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

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

Remedial efforts started shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been left out of action by the project.

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

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant departed from the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a statement, its management said construction activity had obliged them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

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

Delayed Plans

An update to the a city committee in early this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the frontage would commence in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, citing "highly complicated" construction issues for the delay.

"We expect starting to dismantle parts of the scaffold near the finish of 2026, with additional work proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an better site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

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

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

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to bring it into the streetscape or create something more artistic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

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

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the intricacy and size of the remedial work required, however we are focused on completing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I echo the exasperation of residents and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the company has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this restoration has proved to be extremely complicated."