Development to offer ‘workplace that’s more than just work space’

TRANSFORMATION: The former Europa House undergoing renovation at the junction of Anlaby Road and Ferensway in Hull city centre

By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor

Work is under way on transforming Hull city centre’s iconic Europa House office into Monocle – an exciting new project which the owners say is already catching the eye of potential occupiers.

Allenby Commercial promise that Monocle will deliver a bright new facility for the city and its people and breathe new life into a 50-year-old property which has stood as a landmark since the 1970s.

Georgia Allenby, design and marketing director at Allenby Commercial, said: “Monocle is all about creating a workplace that’s more than just your work space.

“The building is being redeveloped to bring a new experience and environment to Hull. The ground floor will be transformed into a high-end coffeehouse that will also be open to the public, alongside a welcoming business lounge with co-working spaces, break-out areas, a gym, meeting rooms and city garden.”

Allenby Commercial is renowned for taking an innovative approach to a multi award-winning property portfolio which include historic riverside studios at Danish Buildings and Bayles House, a former military transport depot now renovated as a modern business park at Base, Victorian-style retail units at Paragon Arcade and period properties in Hull’s Old Town converted into the Hideout Hotel.

At Monocle, the first move in a transformation with the potential to create 700 jobs will involve building two new lifts and modern central staircase.

DEVELOPMENT: Pictured outside Monocle in Hull city centre are, from left, Ben Medhurst of PPH Commercial, Charlie Allenby, Georgia Allenby and Charles Parkinson of CBRE in Leeds

At the same time work will progress on providing managed office and studio space on the first floor and the remaining four floors will then be shaped to attract larger operators.

Completion is due for late 2025, with PPH Commercial and CBRE in Leeds appointed as joint agents.

Europa House is instantly recognisable as the distinctive, gold-mirrored office block which has stood next to Hull Paragon Station at the corner of Anlaby Road and Ferensway since 1975. The striking appearance will be enhanced with the replacement of glazing and the highest quality interior.

Georgia said: “The business lounge and café will offer a new dimension in terms of catering services for businesses based in the building and will also be open to the public.

“There will be business events, workshops, demonstrations and launches of products and services offered by the businesses within Monocle.

“People working elsewhere will be welcome to have their corporate events here – we’ve already had conversations with organisers of business events in the area who are looking for new ideas.

RENOVATION: Pictured inside Monocle in Hull city centre are, from left, Charles Parkinson of CBRE in Leeds, Charlie Allenby, Georgia Allenby and Ben Medhurst of PPH Commercial

“It will bring together different aspects of what we do on a smaller scale in our other locations. Whether it’s retail at Paragon Arcade, creative small space at Paragon Studios and Danish Buildings, the mix of offices, suites and light industrial at Base, they all foster a strong sense of community. Monocle will do that across 60,000 square feet under one roof.

“We have researched space in Leeds, Manchester, London and overseas on visits to Barcelona and Stockholm. We have always got an eye on what other places are doing and why they are doing it because we want to bring new ideas to the north of England.

“Collectively we see this as the future of office space. It’s old hat to create a sterile office building for people to sit in. People want and need more from their place of work.

“We’ve incorporated access to exercise with gym facilities and classes, and the good design and flow throughout the building will create an uplifting inspiring vibe.

“We have already got interest in the building, notably from professional firms and creative businesses who see Monocle as an opportunity to elevate their brand, promote staff wellbeing and improve productivity by moving into great space.”