The Matrix: Creative industries hub set for £96m Albion Square development

ICONIC: The plans include the retention of the Grade II listed Three Ships mosaic overlooking King Edward Square

EXCLUSIVE

By Angus Young

A major new creative industries hub is being planned for Hull’s £96m Albion Square development, The Hull Story can exclusively reveal today.

Makers’ spaces, workshops, arts and craft studios, rehearsal and performance areas, co-working spaces and a business development support unit aimed at helping cultural start-ups could all feature in a project billed as The Matrix.

The idea is to bring existing creative agencies in the city together under one roof, working alongside some of Hull’s established educational and cultural institutions as part of a major legacy project following Hull’s year as the UK City of Culture in 2017.

Conditional planning approval for the long-awaited Albion Square scheme was granted last October.

Ongoing demolition work on existing derelict buildings at the site bordered by Jameson Street and Bond Street is expected to be completed later this year. Construction of the new development will include the retention of the giant Grade II listed Three Ships mosaic overlooking King Edward Square.

The approved plans include 226 new homes, office and retail space together with a new urban park and a multi-storey car park.

As well as The Three Ships, two other original 1960s ceramic murals by the late artist Alan Boyson which were part of the old Co-op building will also be retained in the new design.

The proposed use of some of the new space within the completed Albion Square development was confirmed today by Hull City Council, which owns the site and is funding most of the scheme.

NATURE CITY: An urban park would be part of the development

A council spokesperson told The Hull Story: “Hull City Council secured Levelling Up funding in 2021 to support Albion Square, The Matrix and the city centre grant scheme.

“Albion Square’s mixed-use development was awarded planning permission last year with completion expected in 2026, while the grant scheme is well underway with 18 grants awarded and in contract.

“Following a review of city centre locations for The Matrix, the Albion Square development has been identified as the preferred new location for the facility due to its central location and its sustainable materials and energy-efficient technologies offering a cost-effective solution.”

As well as the urban park, the new development is expected to include rooftop solar panels, electric vehicle charging points and a cycle hub with 173 parking spaces. It will also be designed to be connected to a new district heating system being planned for the city centre.

THE OLD AND THE NEW: Existing Georgian properties on the left with new buildings on the right

The spokesperson added: “Stakeholder engagement is continuing with various organisations within the creative sector to shape and expand the arts and cultural offer within the city.

“Once the operating model for The Matrix is established, further details on this exciting development will be released.

“The move was approved by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities earlier this year along with the updated timeline.”

As part of the review, £12m from the £19.5m Levelling Up grant awarded to Hull two years ago will now be spent on Albion Square with the remaining £7.5m being made available for grants to help restore historic buildings and bring empty properties in the city centre back into use.