A £2.4 million project to bring back to use Hull city centre’s iconic Burton building now measures up, after grant funding was confirmed.
Two significant awards have been made to Wykeland Group to support the restoration of 34-35 Whitefriargate. Purpose-built for Montague Burton, a high-end tailor, it completed in 1936, artistically embellished with Art Deco features and designed by Leeds architect Harry Wilson.
Grade II-listed, and overlooking Beverley Gate and Queen's Gardens at the entrance to Hull’s Old Town, a £750,000 investment will be made from the Levelling Up Fund, with £450,000 from Historic England through the High Street Heritage Action Zone. Together they will match the private investment from the Hull-based developer.
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Full planning permission has been granted for restaurant or retail use on the ground floor, with the second and third floors to be redeveloped to provide high quality office space.
Tom Watson, development surveyor at Wykeland Group, said: “We welcome this grant, which is essential to the viability of the project we are leading to save the former Burton building from dereliction, and the granting of planning permission for our detailed proposals.
“Having invested in acquiring the property to prevent its further decline, we have worked closely with Historic England, Hull City Council’s conservation officer and our own expert consultants to develop a high-quality scheme to revitalise this landmark building.
“Delivery of this scheme will involve further significant investment on our part to restore this historic building and enable it to have a sustainable, long-term future. As well as bringing one of Hull’s most distinctive buildings back to life, the project will create much-needed new business opportunities and jobs in the heart of the city centre.”
It is thought around 68 people could work there when occupied.
Councillor Paul Drake-Davis, portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “I am delighted to be able to award these grants to Wykeland to help repurpose and regenerate what is a magnificent, but currently under-used, building in our city centre.
“The Levelling Up Fund and High Street Heritage Action Zone have already benefited many buildings and businesses in Hull and this is another example of the regeneration work it helps to unlock.”
Trevor Mitchell, regional director at Historic England, said: “We’re really pleased to be helping to fund the restoration of the former Burton department store through the High Street Heritage Action Zone. The Grade II-listed building is a striking and glamorous landmark on Whitefriargate and its rejuvenation will play an important role in transforming the historic street into a thriving and attractive place to live, work, shop and enjoy leisure time.”
In 2021, the council was awarded £19.5 million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to support infrastructure and deliver a package of city centre regeneration works. A total of £7.5 million of this being used for the Levelling Up Fund grant scheme, which aims to bring unused floorspace of any vacant or partially occupied property back into use. This follows on from targeted investment into Whitefriargate schemes such as the Humber High Street Challenge Fund which was completed last year, and the current High Street Heritage Action Zone.
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