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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre looms a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For five years, the establishment on the junction of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, walkers are funneled through narrow walkways, and establishments have vacated the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the earliest portions of the frame can be removed.

A local authority figure a council official has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

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

Projections from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Work on the building began soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the development.

Walkers going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been compelled single-file into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery Ondine left the building and transferred to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its operators said construction activity had forced them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts popular eatery Pizza Express – which has displayed large signs on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would commence in February, with a full removal by the year's end.

But the firm has said that will not happen, referencing "exceptionally intricate" building problems for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle parts of the structure close to the conclusion of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we deliver an better site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, director of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise inconvenience and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the street view or produce something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They added: "We recognize the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the difficulty and scale of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to completing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

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 understand the exasperation of inhabitants and local businesses over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the company has a duty to make the building secure and that this restoration has been hugely complex."