A row of Grade II-listed buildings on Whitefriargate are to be partially converted into modern apartments following a £433,000 grant from Historic England.

The grant will support the conversion of unused upper floor space, above retail units, at 7-9 Whitefriargate.

Hull City Council is also supporting the project, which is being delivered by Hull Trinity House Charity, with a £35,000 grant.

Whitefriargate is undergoing a multi-million pound regeneration scheme, supported by private investment as well as funding from Hull City Council, Historic England and the Hull and East Yorkshire LEP.

Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone on Whitefriargate is investing £1.75m into projects that will revitalise the area, diversify the traditional high street offer and bring unused floor space back into use.

Councillor Daren Hale, leader of Hull City Council and portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “Whitefriargate is an important and historic part of our city centre. The ongoing investment in the area will ensure that its iconic buildings and historic past can play a key role in the bright and exciting future of our city.

“Revitalising and reinventing our city centre requires a balance of various different ideas and projects. We all know that retail can no longer dominate and sustain our high streets, which is why projects like this one, that will create first-class and modern city centre housing, are key to creating a sustainable and successful city centre offer.”

The project will create two one-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom apartment over two floors on 7-9 Whitefriargate.

Hull Trinity House Charity has been working with Historic England architectural consultants and Hull City Council’s conservation officer to create a scheme for the comprehensive refurbishment of the previous shop upper floors, where existing historic features will be retained and restored to create a unique place to live in the heart of the Old Town Conservation Area.

The Grade II-listed 7-9 Whitefriargate buildings were designed by Charles Mountain Junior for Hull Trinity House in 1829-30. 

Craig Broadwith, from Historic England, said: “We're delighted to be working with Hull Trinity House as they help to transform Whitefriargate and bring much needed homes into the heart of Hull's Old Town. Historic England is proud to be part of this renewal, working with our partners at Hull City Council.

“The High Streets Heritage Action Zones, led by Historic England, is a government-funded initiative and designed to secure lasting improvements to our historic high streets for the communities who use them." 

The Whitefriargate regeneration project includes a number of grant schemes and funding projects.

Regeneration is also being supported by the Hull and East Yorkshire LEP’s Humber High Street Challenge Fund, which is investing £1m in the area.