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

For half a decade, the establishment on the intersection of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, walkers are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have vacated the building.

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

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be dismantled.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the previous regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building got underway soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been closed off by the development.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and a neighboring street have been forced one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

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

In a statement, its owners said construction activity had compelled them to modify the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has displayed large signs on the scaffold to remind customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a city committee in early this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the façade would start in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

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

"We anticipate starting to take down parts of the structure near the finish of next year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, director of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to reduce inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

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

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the street view or develop something more artistic and innovative."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We recognize the irritations felt by the community and shops.

"This has been a extended and complex process, demonstrating the difficulty and size of the repair work required, however we are focused on finishing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

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

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I understand the annoyance of residents and local businesses over these continued delays.

"However, I also appreciate that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this restoration has turned out to be hugely complex."