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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

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

Tourists cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through tight corridors, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be dismantled.

A local authority figure a council official has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

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

Projections from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts began soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the junction of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been required single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment Ondine left the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

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

It is also hosts dining franchise Pizza Express – which has displayed large notices on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year stated that the process of "revealing" the façade would start in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is not the case, citing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We project starting to dismantle parts of the structure close to the conclusion of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we create an better site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of heritage body the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise disruption and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that section very hard.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to bring it into the urban landscape or produce something more creative and avant-garde."

Project Response

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

They continued: "We understand the annoyances felt by local residents and businesses.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the intricacy and scale of the repair work required, however we are committed to completing this vital work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I share the frustration of residents and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"That said, I also recognize that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has proved to be hugely complex."