BY Michael Berriman | Friday 14 August 2020
A developer breathing new life into old buildings in Hull has completed the £1.2m renovation of two historic riverside properties.
Allenby Commercial has converted Danish Buildings and the adjoining Grade II listed Bayles House into 17 studios that are being snapped up by architects, film-makers, marketing professionals, tattooists and hair stylists.
The renovation has been supported with £250,000 from the Government’s Local Growth Fund, secured by the Humber LEP.
Chair of the Humber LEP, Stephen Parnaby OBE, said: “We’re thrilled to see work complete on this historic Hull building, which we were pleased to support through the Local Growth Fund. Not only has it supported the regeneration of an important building in the Old Town, it has also supported the creation of new office space and enabled start-ups and existing businesses to grow their operations in a city centre location.”
Minister for regional growth and local government, Simon Clarke MP, said: “I am delighted that the redevelopment of Danish Buildings has now completed, creating new jobs for the people of Hull and providing a much-needed boost to the riverside while preserving the rich heritage of these historic buildings.
“The Government invested £250,000 into this important development and I am pleased to see that small businesses and new start-ups are already benefitting from being able to grow their businesses in Hull city centre.”
Parts of the property date back to the 17th century. Bayles House was originally built as a house in the 18th century and underwent alterations later that century and in the mid-19th century.
It was listed in 1952 and sits next to the iconic Scale Lane Bridge and the Lion & Key pub.
Charlie Allenby, business development manager at Allenby Commercial, said: “The support of the Humber LEP was a very significant factor in the whole project. It enabled us to carry out much more of the restoration work which has become a key feature of both buildings.”
“The idea was to entice creative and productive people out of their spare rooms at home and into Hull city centre, and where better than the Old Town and the cobbles of High Street to bring like-minded businesses under one roof?”
Joe Sargieson of video production company JayJay Media said: “We didn’t want to be on a business park, we want to feel part of the city and its heritage. This area has become a real creative hub and that’s what has drawn us in.”
Allenbys began the renovation after buying the buildings from Hull City Council in 2017.
