Landmark office development the Centre for Digital Innovation (C4DI) has secured its first office tenant.
The Escada Group, an international hardware and software developer and market leading supplier of control systems to the corrugated paper manufacturing industry, is to lease a 2000sqft unit on the second floor of the building.
Developed by Hull-based commercial developer, Wykeland Group, C4DI forms the centrepiece of @TheDock, a major regeneration scheme within Hull’s Fruit Market and Central Dry Dock area.
The 23,000sqft office building is designed to encourage start-ups in the digital and tech industries, create a thriving digital community and help conventional businesses innovate, grow and use technology more effectively.
Gavin Bushby, founder and chairman of the Escada Group, said he had been ‘blown away’ by the vision and enthusiasm of the team behind C4DI.
The Escada Group, which works with clients ranging from independent businesses to large, global groups, will base its corporate headquarters at C4DI while retaining its other offices and production facilities in Malton and Scarborough, North Yorkshire, and in Atlanta, USA.
Mr Bushby said: “As part of our company strategy, our vision is to create a more corporate-focused company with an emphasis on product and systems innovation and safeguarding the future success, expansion and stability of the Escada Group.
“During our investigation process we met with the C4DI team and were extremely inspired with their vision and enthusiasm. The links with the universities and colleges are vital for us to recruit and nurture talent for the future, and the community that will develop along with C4DI will provide us with essential opportunities to build relationships with other skilled individuals and technical companies.
“We feel by moving our corporate headquarters to C4DI we can achieve our vision and much, much more.”
The ground floor of C4DI will house hotdesks and informal workspaces, meeting rooms and a large presentation/studio space for a range of uses, with upper floors providing a variety of different sized office aimed at SME and fast-growing companies in the digital and technology sector.
The development features the fastest broadband in the city provided by KC Lightstream with each desk providing the user with a 100Mb symmetric connection.
Mr Bushby added: “Hull has a strong, emerging digital technology community and an excellent, high-speed fibre optic network which is really important for a business like ours, those at the forefront of developing some of the best technologies in the world.”
John Connolly, managing director of C4DI Ltd, the innovation and workspace management company said: “We are delighted that the Escada Group is relocating to Hull for its new corporate HQ. The move reflects the benefits of the knowledge, connectivity, infrastructure and support available to fast-growing technology businesses that we have here in Hull.
“Over the last few months the Escada Group has become more involved with the C4DI community. We’ve seen how their projects have brought new work to start-up businesses and how the business has developed new products and solutions by tapping into the expertise and talent already in Hull.
“The Escada Group’s global reputation as an innovator within their field, together with their ambition and plans for the growth of their business is hugely exciting both for them, and for the city, and we look forward to their team being based here.”
