Up to 600 new jobs could be coming to Hull city centre as plans to regenerate a major office complex were given the go-ahead.
Europa House, on the corner of Ferensway and Anlaby Road, has provided office space to city centre businesses since it was opened in 1975.
Now, property developer Allenby Commercial has been given planning permission to refurbish the building to create Monocle, a luxury new office space.
The 2020 vision for Monocle is to meet the rising demand in Hull city centre for modern, flexible office space which will attract a wide range of businesses.
The development could create up to 600 new jobs, Allenby said.
Charlie Allenby, development manager at Allenby Commercial, said: “We’re in discussions now with a number of potential tenants who have been attracted by the location of Monocle – offering the widest range of transport options – and by the concept of combining office space with leisure and relaxation facilities.
“Now we have secured planning permission we can press ahead with our vision of integrating Monocle into the wider city centre community.
“Europa House has been a landmark for more than 40 years yet was still hidden away to a degree. Monocle will stand out for its design and will also be opened up with areas to entice and excite the public.”
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Allenby has worked on a number of city centre projects including food and drinks outlets in the Victorian Paragon Arcade, the acclaimed Hideout Hotel, and office space at Minster Corner and WORX.
Danish Buildings and the listed Bayles House in Old Town are close to completion as small offices and studios targeted at new and growing businesses.
The company’s new project, Monocle, will provide a stylish café bar and lounge area as well as a secure entrance to the offices above for tenants who will have exclusive use of a roof terrace café.
Monocle’s travel plan will maximise the rail and bus links from the adjacent transport interchange, with car parking available on site and storage space for at least 20 cycles as well as shower and changing facilities.
Mr Allenby said: “We’re delighted with the warm response we’ve received for our other projects in Hull city centre and we’re confident people will welcome Monocle as another unique project by Allenby Commercial.
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“It’s another example of our strategy of renovating older buildings which have profile and character and using them to bring new jobs to Hull.
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“From the amenity use on the ground floor to the wide range of business options on the upper floors, Monocle has the potential to create up to 600 jobs in a location which couldn’t be more convenient.
“The site next to the transport interchange fits our agenda of creating a greener business space and positions Monocle as the closest office in Hull to London.
“We’re in discussions now with some well-known businesses and some fledgling operations and we expect the space to start filling up later this year.”