Work to revive Hull’s historic Castle Street Chambers building and rebuild the former Earl De Grey pub has begun in a project valued at £2.5m.
It’s in the hands of developers the Wykeland Group, who’ll create more than 6,000 sq ft of prime commercial space as well as reconstruction of the pub.
Wykeland has liaised closely with National Highways, Historic England and Hull City Council to bring the restoration project forward.
The company’s Development Director Jonathan Stubbs said: “Castle Buildings is one of the most complex and challenging restoration projects we’ve undertaken.
“Having been unused for decades, the building is understandably in a very poor condition. Since acquiring the site in recent years, we have worked hard to bring forward this project which is now coming to fruition
“That has included taking down the Earl De Grey before the A63 works, while retaining its listed frontage in order that it can be reinstated as part of this exciting development.
“In all of our restoration projects, protecting and enhancing heritage is at the forefront of our approach. That is certainly the case with Castle Street Chambers and the Earl De Grey.
“This project represents a significant investment into Hull city centre, rejuvenating a key corridor which links Connexin Live and the heart of the city centre to the Marina and thriving Fruit Market.”
Castle Street Chambers was built in 1900 as offices for Hull steamship owners and brokers Messrs G R Sanderson. The now derelict Grade II-listed building has been unoccupied since the 1970s, supported by protective scaffolding for more than 20 years.
The same happened to one of Hull’s oldest pubs the Earl De Grey, which dates back to the 1840s. In 2020, the Grade II-listed Earl De Grey’s historic frontage was removed brick by brick, before being placed into storage, prior to the start of the ongoing £350m A63 Castle Street improvement scheme to relieve congestion on the main route through Hull.
