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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a giant structure of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, the establishment on the intersection of a key historic street and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are squeezed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be dismantled.

The city's political leader a council official has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

Background Issues

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

Estimates from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building got underway soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the junction of the historic street have been closed off by the development.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and another locale have been forced in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery a well-known restaurant left the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

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

It is also hosts dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has hung large signs on the framework to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would commence in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that will not happen, referencing "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the delay.

"We expect starting to remove portions of the structure near the finish of next year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an better site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, lead of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the street view or produce something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Continued Work

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

They stated: "We recognize the frustrations felt by local residents and shops.

"This has been a extended and complex process, highlighting the intricacy and magnitude of the restoration required, however we are committed to concluding this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The council leader said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I share the annoyance of locals and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also appreciate that the firm has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this repair has proved to be extremely complicated."