Wykeland Group’s spectacular Centre for Digital Innovation (C4DI) tech hub has been recognised as one of the region’s best commercial buildings.
C4DI was shortlisted in the Commercial Space category of the Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards, which celebrate the very best from the region’s business scene. Judges said C4DI had become a “wonderful addition” to the city of Hull.
Shortlisted entries were nominated from a record-breaking 260 entries for Yorkshire’s leading business awards, with the quality of submissions described as the best in its 11-year history. One of the judges, Yorkshire Post Business Editor Mark Casci, said: “The quality of the submissions we received across all categories was nothing short of outstanding.”
Open to both new and existing buildings, the Commercial Space category highlighted projects that make an inspiring use of commercial space and demonstrate the value of world-class architects and designers. C4DI was shortlisted alongside Eagerlux and San Pedro Properties and KPP Architects, which was named the winner for its work on the Mending Rooms at Sunny Bank Mills in Leeds.
The awards were presented at a gala dinner at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, compered by former Cabinet minister turned broadcaster Michael Portillo.
Designed by Leeds-based architects Enjoy Design and opened in December 2015, the £4m tech hub makes a dramatic visual statement, using bold, contemporary materials to create, with The Deep, a striking gateway to the River Hull.
The 23,000 sq ft building has provided a powerful focal point for Hull’s tech community and accelerated the growth of the region’s digital sector, as well as acting as a major catalyst for the transformation of the Fruit Market.
Developed and funded by Wykeland, with the assistance of a grant from the European Regional Development Fund, C4DI is now a thriving hub of digital excellence. The building is almost fully let to a wide range of technology-based companies and also houses more than 230 digital specialists and freelancers.
Wykeland Managing Director Dominic Gibbons said: “It’s very pleasing that C4DI has been rated as one of the best commercial buildings in the region, which is a credit to everyone involved in its development. This is the latest accolade for the development, including a Good Mark award from the Hull Civic Society.
“Even more important than these accolades has been C4DI’s success in bringing together and promoting the region’s digital community and contributing strongly to the exciting regeneration of the Fruit Market.”
C4DI is the centrepiece of Wykeland’s £15m @TheDock development, which also features two further, recently completed office buildings, one of which is already undergoing fit-out for an end user. @TheDock is completed by a unique amphitheatre created within Hull’s historic Central Dry Dock – the only new permanent venue built before Hull’s City of Culture year in 2017.
Judges in the Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards said C4DI was a “wonderful addition” to the city of Hull.
C4DI has provided a powerful focal point for Hull’s tech community and accelerated the growth of the region’s digital sector.
As well as housing a wide range of technology-based companies, C4DI also has a co-working community of more than 230 digital specialists and freelancers.
The reception area at C4DI, which has won widespread praise for the quality of the building’s design and materials, creating an inspiring working environment.
