Work to create an office development which will transform the digital and tech economy of the Humber region is set to get underway in the next month.
Branded @TheDock, the 84,000sqft scheme is being developed by leading commercial developer Wykeland Group on land adjacent to the old central dry dock near Hull’s Fruit Market.
The centrepiece of the development will be the much anticipated Centre for Digital Innovation (C4DI), a 21,000sqft building aimed at tech start ups and existing companies in the digital sector, and equipped with KC Lightstream connectivity.
Construction of C4DI is due to commence in October and once the development is completed it will sit alongside more than 60,000sqft of the most desirable grade A office space in the region, located opposite The Deep and with panoramic views across the Humber estuary.
Stephen Hudson, development director at Wykeland, said demolition of the site is now nearly completed and flood defence work is to begin next week.
Mr Hudson said: “@TheDock is one of the most important development projects going on anywhere in the north. No other building will have such a transformative effect on its environment as @TheDock will. It will play a major role in transforming the digital economy of the Humber region over the coming years, which is one of the foremost growth areas, and will play an equally major role in helping physically transform the Fruit Market area of Hull.
“For us to have reached this stage is incredibly exciting. With the site now almost clear we can prepare to get underway with the construction phase and see all the hard work and planning that has gone into it become a reality.”
As part of the project old central dry dock will be converted into a spectacular open air amphitheatre which will create a new area of public realm and be used to stage outdoor music events and other artistic performances.
Jon Moss, co-founder of C4DI, said @TheDock would create a fantastic venue in which to work and collaborate with some of the region’s best digital minds.
He said: “It is integral to the business community in the Humber region that there is a strong digital offering and @TheDock is where that will be focused. The @TheDock scheme will create a community of like-minded people, some in the digital sector and some outside of it, who can share knowledge and help each other grow, and by doing that, help grow the economy of the entire region.”
Mr Moss added that the development also complemented other work going on to revamp the Fruit Market.
He said: “The Fruit Market is destined to become the digital, cultural and creative centre of Hull and will be a hive of activity running up to 2017 and beyond. With water on three sides, spectacular views and the best available office space in the region, @TheDock will form an integral part of that and we’re delighted to see work get underway.”
Ben Medhurst, director of PPH Commercial, the agent for @TheDock, said that once completed the scheme would become one of the most prestigious business addresses in the region.
He said: “@TheDock will be one of the most technologically advanced office developments anywhere in Yorkshire. We expect space to be snapped up very quickly as it will undoubtedly be some of the most sought after office space in the region.”
To find out more about available office space call Nick Pearce on (01482) 648888 or follow @TheDockHull on twitter.
