Wraps off at final part of Hull tech campus

Completion has been reached on an 11,000 sq ft building, rounding off construction on the £22m @TheDock development.

For developer Wykeland, the completion and opening of the building marks the culmination of a 10-year project that started with the creation of the Centre for Digital Innovation, a pioneer scheme that opened in 2015.

The @TheDock campus now comprises five buildings, while there is a further C4DI venture in Northallerton.

The Harris Partnership was the architect for the final building, which was started by Leeds-based Castlehouse Construction, with Wykeland taking on the job itself when that firm went into administration midway through.

PPH Commercial is the letting agent.

Wykeland said that @TheDock has both brought together a disparate tech sector in the city, and acted as a cornerstone in the regeneration of the Fruit Market area. It expects that 1,000-plus people will work across @TheDock’s five buildings once this last development is fully occupied.

Managing director of Wykeland Dominic Gibbons, said: “The opening of the final @TheDock building completes a story of sustained investment and development, which has seen a derelict site transformed into a hub of innovation and collaboration.

“When we first began this project, the tech community in Hull was disparate. We wanted to create a place where tech specialists could come together and spark ideas, to help traditional businesses embrace technological change and drive economic growth.

“This development is the result of so many people, businesses and organisations working collaboratively together to create a thriving tech campus recognised as one of the most successful anywhere in the UK.

“We’re incredibly proud to see what @TheDock has become and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of the businesses and partners who have been part of this journey.”

The @TheDock story stretches back to 2013, with the launch of the C4DI Beta test site at Wykeland’s offices in Queen Street in the Fruit Market, with Wykeland working in partnership with KCOM and the University of Hull on the nascent project.

Companies that now call @TheDock home include Saab Technologies, payment tech provider Dojo, healthtech specialist Vertual and digital performance marketing agency Summit.

This final building, net zero and rated BREEAM Very Good, is available to let to either a single business or multiple tenants, with suites from 2,250 sq ft to the full 11,000 sq ft.

Features include rooftop solar panels, air source heat pumps, elements of green wall and roofing, and an undercroft car park with EV charge points and bike storage.

• Read Place Yorkshire’s Q&A with Wykeland managing director Dominic Gibbons

Around 1,000 jobs are based at @TheDock. Credit: Influence Media