Plans submitted for new £25m hotel in Hull city centre next to Connexin Live arena
Commercial property developer Wykeland Group has submitted revised plans for a new hotel in Hull city centre, under the Marriott group’s Moxy brand.
Subject to planning approval, a £25m investment will see the hotel built opposite the city’s Connexin Live arena, on Waterhouse Lane.
Hull-based Wykeland already has planning permission for a hotel on the site, with revised plans having now been submitted to Hull City Council to meet the hotel brand’s specific requirements.
The development is planned next to the recently-restored Castle Buildings and former Earl de Grey pub. Delivery of the hotel would mark the completion of a major regeneration project across the wider site.
Jonathan Stubbs, Wykeland’s development director, said: “We’re proud of our work to restore Castle Buildings and the Earl de Grey and the development of a Moxy hotel would complete this prominent development site, as well as being an impressive addition to the Hull skyline.
“These revised plans ensure the building reflects the stylish Moxy brand. Approval of the planning application will pave the way for the development of a high-quality new hotel that the business community, the tourism and hospitality sectors, and visitors to Hull have been crying out for.”
The revised plans are for a seven-storey hotel with 122 bedrooms. The ground floor would include a bar and food area, a gym and a relaxation space, as well as a business section.
The hotel would be the first to be built in Hull for almost a decade, since the opening of the DoubleTree by Hilton in 2017, and would meet what developers described as a “pent-up demand” for accommodation in the city centre.
Independent market research commissioned by Wykeland found that there are 100 nights every year when city centre hotel capacity is full, with potential visitors forced to stay outside of the city.
Hull’s visitor economy is also expected to see a significant uplift as the city’s Hull Maritime project nears completion.
The programme of work includes the major refurbishment of the Hull Maritime Museum, the restoration of the Spurn Lightship in Hull Marina, and a new visitor centre and dry berth at the North End Shipyard for the Arctic Corsair trawler.
If planning permission is granted, the hotel will be owned by Wykeland and operated by Legacy Hotel Management Services, which manages more than 25 hotels across the UK on behalf of developers, investors and property owners.
Moxy holds a string of hotels in 130 locations in more than 25 countries,
In the UK, the brand has hotels in major cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast.
Internationally, the brand is located in cities including Bangkok, Shanghai, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Lisbon.
Molly Turpie, senior manager, International Hotel Development, for Marriott International Hotels, said: “Hull is a city with a strong cultural identity and growing visitor appeal, making it an ideal location for Moxy’s playful, design-led approach.
“We’re excited at the prospect of creating a hotel that reflects the spirit of the city while delivering the high standards and global reach of Marriott International.”
The move follows a £2m project from Wykeland which rescued the Grade II-listed Castle Buildings located next to the hotel site, which now incorporates the rebuilt former Earl de Grey pub.