Historic building in Hull city centre which has long stood vacant is set for a new lease of life

Qube Property Ltd has been granted almost £229,000 to convert the late 19th Century building in Market Place, which was an office before being vacated.

The project which is set to see five studio apartments created inside the building will also help with the future development of Hepworth’s Arcade, according to Hull City Council.

Council Regeneration Portfolio Holder Cllr Paul Drake-Davis said the scheme would deliver high quality, city centre accommodation in a long vacant building.

It comes after the council agreed to let developers drop the number of apartments including in the conversion from six to five, ruling that it would be an improvement.

The project costs a total of £572,916, with the council putting up £200,520 from the Levelling Up Fund and a further £28,645 from the High Street Heritage Action Zone scheme.

The developer will foot the remaining cost of £340,000 for the development to the Grade II-listed building.

The building was constructed in 1894 and the ground floor features a shop unit and an entrance to Hepworth’s Arcade.

It also features 20th Century alterations but retains many of its original features.

Plans stated that the change of use would allow the building to be occupied long term.

They stated: “There is no question that this building, along with others in the area are well maintained and aesthetically pleasing but they evolved as have others through adapting to various uses over the years.

“Fortunately, many of the external alternations on the nearby buildings on this side of Market Place and Lowgate have been sympathetically using good quality design practices and materials throughout.”

The building is the latest to receive a grant from the Levelling Up Fund.

Levelling up funding totalling £19.5m was awarded by the Government in 2021 and it is now being used to bring empty buildings back into use.

Other recent recipients include Europa House, on the corner of Anlaby Road and Ferensway, and the former TSB and Lloyds bank in George Street.

Cllr Drake-Davis said the Market Place project was another example of how levelling up funding continues to breathe new life into Hull city centre.

The portfolio holder said: “The Levelling Up Funding is given to the council on behalf of the government and has to be awarded to applicants which meet the specific criteria such as creating new permanent jobs, bringing vacant floor space back into use, improving dilapidated buildings and restoring heritage properties.

“This application from Qube Property Ltd meets the necessary conditions to merit the award.”