Almost £7m in sales completed at newly launched residential scheme in Hull's Fruit Market

The launch of a new residential development in Hull’s Fruit Market has seen homes worth almost £7m sold before a brick has been laid.

A third of the properties in the Fruit Market scheme were reserved by property hunters after around 700 people attended the launch event for the scheme.

A total of 33 properties were sold off-plan after developer Wykeland Beal revealed details of the new homes for the first time to the public at the weekend launch.

Wykeland Beal had planned to make one of the four quarters that make up the development available at the launch, but decided to release a second quarter in response to the demand.

The development features 101 two and three bedroom homes arranged in mews style around four private courtyards – Horner’s Quarter, Martin’s Quarter, Scott’s Quarter and Finkle Quarter.

The development will also see the reinstatement of two historic squares, Scott’s Square and Horner’s Square.

The properties are townhouses and apartments, arranged over two and three storeys, with a mix of traditional and contemporary styles.

The launch of the £17m residential scheme is the latest stage in the £80m transformation of the Fruit Market, which is being driven forward by the Wykeland Beal joint venture, formed by regeneration company Wykeland Group and housebuilder Beal Homes, working in partnership with Hull City Council.

Richard Beal, chairman and managing director of Beal Homes, said: “We’re delighted with the response to the launch and the number of properties that have been reserved off-plan. The Fruit Market has really captured the imagination of buyers – this was the most successful launch we have ever had.

“People at the launch really loved the variety and quality of the design of the properties and how they will be integrated into the development of the Fruit Market to form a very special new community.

“We had significant pent-up interest in this development and expected it to be popular, but we found it very difficult to predict launch sales, as there has simply been nothing like this previously in Hull. In effect, it signals the arrival in Hull of contemporary urban living, as seen in many other major cities.

“This development is one of a kind and that’s a key part of its appeal – buyers don’t want to miss out on securing a high-quality, new-build property in an area rich in creativity, culture and opportunity.”

Prices for properties released so far range from £149,995 for a two-bedroom apartment up to £274,995 for a three-bedroom townhouse with car port or parking space.

Construction is expected to begin within weeks, with the first homes scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. Other properties sold during the launch event will be available for occupation progressively during 2019.

Dominic Gibbons, managing director of Wykeland Group, added: “The outstanding success of the residential development launch is a major boost for the Fruit Market and adds to the ever-growing momentum behind the rejuvenation of Hull as a whole.

“It’s also a vote of confidence in this locally-led regeneration project, with Wykeland Beal working closely in partnership with Hull City Council. Having hundreds more people living in the Fruit Market will mean customers on the doorstep for the businesses in this growing urban village.

“People are really buying into our joint vision for the Fruit Market as a fantastic place to live, work and enjoy leisure time – it really is becoming the place to be in the fastest-emerging city in the North.”