The council is inviting bidders to offer their vision for the city centre project
How the Albion Square site looks now(Image: Hull City Council)
An important milestone in the Albion Square project has now been reached as Hull City Council has begun its process to procure a lead development partner for the city centre regeneration scheme. The site of the former BHS building in Hull city centre is set become home to the city’s principle development.
The council is inviting bidders via YORtender to offer their vision, a masterplan, and financial appraisal that reflects the council’s aims and objectives for the site. The primary objective of the development is to transform a vacant but strategically positioned city centre site into a high-quality mixed-use residential-led scheme.
The council is looking for a lead development partner to take the lead on delivery, work in partnership with the council and other stakeholders, secure funding and resources to create a sustainable and visionary scheme, as well as maintaining a long-term interest in the site.
Cllr Paul Drake-Davis, the council’s portfolio holder for economic renewal, housing and organisational development, said: “The council is pleased to have reached the stage where it can formally accept tender bids for a lead development partner for Albion Square. I look forward to seeing the prospective partners bids as the council continues to push forward its ambitious city centre regeneration.”
The council’s cabinet took the decision to seek out a development partner in February 2025. At the time, the council report spoke of the importance of shared risk in such developments. It stated the council was looking for “the risk and reward [of the project] being shared between both parties”.
Work on the project, which is set to change the face of a large part of the city centre, is set to continue into 2026 with the council hoping the former BHS building will be demolished by the end of the year. Once the building is demolished, work to redevelop the area will begin.
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Despite the area’s redevelopment, the iconic Three Ships mural is set to be preserved and retain its place overlooking Jameson Street. However, as the mural sits on the former BHS building, which is set to be demolished, great attention has been given to figuring out a way to keep the mural in place during the work.
The next stage of work on the project will include the mural being secured by a specialist steel frame. This frame will allow the mural to stand in place whilst the building is demolished and the area is redeveloped. The work will be done by contractor VINCI Construction, who in February the council’s cabinet agreed to pay £45,000 a month for preliminary costs such as site checks and security personnel, until a lead development partner is secured.