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

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

Visitors find no available accommodations, foot traffic are directed through tight corridors, and establishments have left the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be removed.

A local authority figure a council official has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

Background Issues

The 136-bedroom hotel was developed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Work on the building started not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

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

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

An eatery a popular spot quit the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said the ongoing project had obliged them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts popular eatery a chain – which has hung large notices on the scaffold to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "exposing" the frontage would start in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, citing "highly complicated" building problems for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to remove parts of the scaffold close to the conclusion of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," a statement read.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, head of conservation group the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the urban landscape or produce something more creative and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They stated: "We understand the frustrations felt by the community and shops.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the difficulty and scale of the restoration required, however we are committed to finishing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I echo the annoyance of locals and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the contractor has a obligation to make the building safe and that this restoration has been hugely complex."