A multimillion-pound scheme to convert the former Debenhams department store in the centre of Hull into dozens of new flats has finally begun. Building work is now underway following efforts to strip out the interior of the vast premises, five years after it closed its doors to shoppers.
Transformation of the Former Debenhams Building
Since the high street chain ceased trading, the interior of the property has remained vacant, with signage and retail fixtures still in place. Doncaster-based developers DBG Group are making a substantial investment into the prime Prospect Street site, transforming it into 178 city centre flats as part of investments exceeding £75m across the city.
The scheme was enabled by Hull City Council agreeing revised lease arrangements with Gateway Hull Limited and DBG Group to permit residential use, while retaining some ground floor retail space in several units along Ferensway and Brock Street.
Planning and Investment Details
Planning consent was approved by the council last December, and the amended lease framework gave the developer the certainty needed to secure development finance. DBG has already committed more than £20m across multiple schemes in Hull, including the completed Dunedin House (The Merchant) on Percy Street and Shirethorn House (City Point), which have delivered over 100 new city centre residences.
The transformation of the former Debenhams building is anticipated to trigger a further £3.7m of private sector investment into Hull, while also returning a long-vacant property to active use. DBG has additionally lodged proposals for the former Circus Circus building on Ferensway which, if given the green light, would deliver a further 164 homes and approximately 54,000 sqft of commercial space. Bosses indicated that total investment across all these schemes is forecast to exceed £75m.
Developer and Council Comments
Tom Danby, MD of DBG Group, said: "We are pleased to be working in partnership with Hull City Council to bring forward the redevelopment of the former Debenhams building, which marks an important step in the continued regeneration of the city centre. We anticipate our total investment in Hull will be more than £75m and it was a pleasure to work with council officers whose support has been crucial in bringing the deal over the line. We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively to deliver high-quality developments that support the cities ongoing growth."
The Debenhams transformation and DBG Group's capital injection aligns with the council's broader city-centre revitalisation ambitions, including the target for around 2,500 new city centre dwellings, as well as fulfilling a key element of Hull's City Centre Vision concerning the 'Prospect Triangle' and Ferensway.
Chris Jackson, director for regeneration and partnerships at the council, said: "Regeneration of the former Debenhams building is a great example of the public and private sectors working together. It demonstrates the council's commitment to meeting its target of an additional 2,500 city centre homes, as well as continuing to deliver the potential set out in our City Centre Vision. This investment from DBG Group also shows confidence that the private sector has in Hull and will help to boost our city centre residential offer and economy."
