Regeneration company Wykeland Group has been named Commercial Developer of the Year at the prestigious Insider Yorkshire Property Industry Awards 2016.
The coveted award was presented during a glittering event attended by almost 600 of the region’s top industry professionals at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds last night. Wykeland was also shortlisted in the Development of the Year category, for its @TheDock development in Hull’s Fruit Market.
Hull-based Wykeland is one of Yorkshire and the Humber’s leading commercial developers, with a £300m development pipeline within the region, and the award reflects a pivotal year in the history of the business, which was founded almost 50 years ago.
Within the past year, two major, long-term regeneration projects have come to fruition with a third becoming established as one of the region’s most sought-after business locations.
The Insider Yorkshire Property Industry Awards judges said: “For breadth of work, taking risk out of its own cash flow and operating in an area where it is difficult to find a margin, Wykeland takes the spoils.”
Wykeland Managing Director Dominic Gibbons said: “We’re delighted to receive this award, especially as it recognises the excellence and economic impact of developments which we have worked for many years to deliver.
“The award is a tribute to our excellent in-house team and also our extensive network of development partners, consultants, contractors and suppliers, who have all played their part.
“While it is very pleasing to be recognised by our peers within the industry, our greatest satisfaction comes from delivering successful and sustainable regeneration schemes that stimulate investment, create high-quality jobs and enhance the built environment.”
Wykeland Group’s winning entry focused on its @TheDock development; the £120m Flemingate development in Beverley; and the Bridgehead business park close to the Humber Bridge.
@TheDock
The £15m @TheDock development is delivering on dual objectives – to stimulate the region’s digital economy and contribute to the regeneration of Hull’s Fruit Market.
The centrepiece of @TheDock is the Centre for Digital Innovation (C4DI), which was the realisation of Wykeland’s vision to stimulate the growth of the digital economy by investing speculatively in a focal point for the tech sector.
The opening of C4DI in December 2015 was a landmark moment for Hull and the Humber’s digital ambitions. It was also a milestone in the £80m regeneration of the Fruit Market, being delivered by Wykeland with joint venture partner Beal Homes, in partnership with Hull City Council.
C4DI is almost fully let to technology-based companies and houses almost 100 co-working digital specialists delivering projects for more than 30 member companies.
@TheDock features two further office buildings, both strongly in demand, and a high-quality café, Nibble. It is completed by a stunning amphitheatre created by Wykeland within Hull’s historic Central Dry Dock – the only new permanent venue before Hull’s year as UK City of Culture in 2017.
Flemingate
The £120m Flemingate development is Beverley’s largest ever regeneration scheme and has had a hugely beneficial impact. To date, around 700 jobs have been created within a thriving hub of retail, leisure, learning and employment.
Opened in November 2015 following a 10-year planning and development process, Flemingate has brought much-needed new facilities to Beverley, including a 70,000 sq ft college campus, 80-bed Premier Inn, six-screen independent cinema, 500 parking spaces and 130 homes.
Flemingate has attracted leading retail brands such as Debenhams, H&M and River Island, with Topman, Topshop, Superdrug and Starbucks joining them in the next few weeks at the fast-growing shopping and leisure destination.
Bridgehead
The 50-acre Bridgehead business park, by the Humber Bridge and A63/M62 corridor, has developed strongly to become a bustling commercial hub.
Over the past year laser firm Rofin-Sinar (80,000 sq ft) and graphics company SGS International (18,000 sq ft) have moved into purpose-built offices, joining Beal Homes, bathroom e-retailer Victoria Plum and the John Good Group. A 15,000 sq ft headquarters is also nearing completion for office technology business IT@Spectrum and telecoms specialist The One Point.
Ultimately, over 2,000 people will work at Bridgehead, which was developed with input from Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to enable commerce and the environment to co-exist harmoniously.
The Wykeland team receive the Commercial Developer of the Year award from Lee Wilkinson of sponsor PwC.
