‘Rewilding’ to be at heart of Albion Square development

URBAN PARK: How nature could form a key part of the proposed Albion Square development

New images have been revealed showing how Hull’s £96m Albion Square development could look.

The city centre development will feature a mixture of residential, office and retail space, as well as a large urban park, Hull City Council said.

The proposals, designed by FaulknerBrowns Architects and landscape architects Gillespies, will also use “rewilding” to create a new and natural green space.

The project is being delivered by the council’s construction partner, VINCI Construction UK.

Throughout the development, new buildings will complement the existing architecture, history and colour of this part of the city centre, the council said.

Alan Boyson’s Three Ships Mural will be incorporated and made a key component of the new development, alongside retail space facing Albion Square, adding to the retail offer of Jameson Street and King Edward Street.

Modern apartments will also be created at this part of the development, which will have access to stepped rooftop gardens.

Councillor Daren Hale, city council leader and portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “This development, just like our Hull: Yorkshire’s Maritime City project, has Hull’s history and heritage at its heart.

“The iconic mural will be the face of what will transform the city centre, creating first-class housing, retail units and office space, along with a unique and stunning urban woodland.

“This important development will complement and add to the incredible investment and regeneration we have already seen on the Marina and in the Old Town. Albion Square is a vital part of our exciting vision for the city centre.”

The rear of the development will feature retail units, as well as housing sensitive and complimentary to the existing Georgian architecture on Albion Street. This will include family homes and apartments, some of which will have private gardens.

At the centre of the site, a new urban woodland will reconnect communities with city centre green space, allowing nature back into our urban areas through rewilding.

Adam Greatrix, associate partner at Gillespies, said: “The urban park represents far more than just a new park, this water-based, biodiverse space is a statement of Hull City Council’s commitment and response to the climate emergency, to create a more sustainable and climate resilient city for its community.”

The council said the urban park will be an example of how communities can live with water, showcasing how rainwater can be stored, filtered, drained sustainably, and become an amenity, even play opportunity, for its inhabitants rather than relying on traditional underground drainage networks.

The result will be “a dynamic and ever-changing park where water levels can rise and fall depending on weather conditions, to create either parkland or urban wetland”.

Niall Durney, associate partner at FaulknerBrowns Architects, said: “Albion Square will bring new activity and life to Hull city centre and provide the type of green space that is essential to sustainable, post-Covid cities.

“Our design focuses on repairing the urban grain of this part of the city, by re-instating historic streetscapes and framing an important piece of public art. The new buildings are all centred around the urban park, allowing both residents and the wider city to enjoy accessible, natural green space.”

The design of the park draws inspiration from Hull’s dramatic estuary landscape and the biodiverse and ecological-rich river banks. Bridges and decks will guide people through the park, which will feature water, lush green spaces, seating areas and artistic elements.

The plans for Albion Square also include a place for storing bicycles.

The development will also include solar panels, EV charging points and other sustainable features.

The plans will go to Hull City Council’s planning committee for final approval in early 2022. Construction of the site is scheduled to begin in 2023.