Empty heritage property to be turned into apartments

Empty heritage property to be turned into apartmentsA vacant Grade II listed building in Hull city centre will be converted into five studio apartments thanks to council funding.Qube Property Ltd is undertaking a restoration project of 61 Market Place worth £572,916.The developers will pledge over £340,000 to the scheme, with grant initiatives bridging the gap for the remainder of the costs.Hull City Council’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF) has awarded £200,520, whilst an additional £28,645 has also been granted through the High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ).As well as restoring a heritage building, this project will support the renovation and future development of Hepworth’s Arcade next door.Councillor Paul Drake-Davis, the council’s portfolio holder for regeneration and housing, said: “The Levelling Up Funding is given to the council on behalf of the Government and has to be awarded to applicants which meet the specific criteria such as creating new permanent jobs, bringing vacant floor space back into use, improving dilapidated buildings and restoring heritage properties.“This has been evident recently in grants to regenerate Europa House, the former Lloyds Bank and on Humber Street and this application from Qube Property Ltd meets the necessary conditions to merit the award.“The scheme, in which Qube is investing over £340,000 of its own capital, will deliver high quality, city centre accommodation in a long-vacant building and is another example of how the Levelling Up Funding continues to breathe new life into our city centre.”