The Situation with Edinburgh's Plastic-Shrouded Hotel?

Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

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

Tourists find no available accommodations, pedestrians are funneled through narrow walkways, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Remedial work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Work on the building started soon after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been closed off by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been required one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant left the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its management said building work had compelled them to alter the restaurant's look, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also the location of restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has displayed large notices on the structure to inform customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year suggested that the process of "exposing" the exterior would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

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

"We expect starting to dismantle parts of the framework near the finish of 2026, with additional work continuing thereafter," they said.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, head of heritage body the a local association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to lessen disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that section very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the street view or create something more creative and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was in progress.

They continued: "We understand the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the intricacy and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to completing this essential work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I share the exasperation of locals and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also acknowledge that the firm has a obligation to make the building secure and that this remediation has proved to be hugely complex."