Wykeland reveals plans to breathe new life into landmark former Burton building

Leading developer Wykeland Group has unveiled plans to bring a landmark building in the heart of Hull back to life.

The former Burton building has been vacant since the fashion store closed its doors after owner Arcadia went into administration in 2020. It was built as a fashionable men’s tailor shop in 1936, and with its striking art deco facade, the building is one of the most distinctive in the city centre.

Having acquired the Grade II listed building, Hull-based Wykeland has now announced plans to conserve and regenerate the building, creating a prime retail or restaurant space on the ground floor and offices on the upper. The plans include complete replacement of the worn cladding, and of all the windows with new metal-framed, double glazed units.

Also in store is the creation of a new entrance facing Whitefriargate based on the design of the original Burton shopfront. The building’s internal art deco-style metal cage lift is likewise being refurbished and brought back into use, and the parapet on roof level - a once iconic feature of the original Burton building - is set to be rebuilt.

Working closely with experts at Historic England and Hull City Council, Tom Watson, development surveyor at Wykeland, said: “We plan to deliver a sympathetic regeneration of the building, saving a landmark, listed building from dereliction and bringing an important commercial space in a prominent city centre location back into use.

“We have invested significantly in Hull city centre over many years, including in Whitefriargate, and the acquisition and proposed reinvigoration of the Burton building underlines our commitment to the heart of the city.”

The building has four floors, plus a basement, with a total of 11,000 sq ft of space. The proposed retail or restaurant area on the ground floor will offer 2,000 sq ft of floorspace, with the first, second and third floors each covering 2,600 sq ft.

Jonathan Stubbs, development director at Wykeland, said: “These plans will enable the building to have a long-term, commercially viable future. Once redeveloped, this will be a fantastic opportunity for businesses to move into a landmark building in a prime location in the heart of Hull.”