Armed Forces charity Hull 4 Heroes is to move into a new home in one of the city’s most prominent and historic city centre buildings.
The charity has agreed a lease to take more than 5,600 sq ft of space in the Grade II listed Kings Buildings, opposite Hull Minster in South Church Side.
The ground floor Grade A office space has been completed to a high specification by Hull businessman Paul Luen, whose Lucava Developments Limited company purchased the property in 2020.
The top three floors were converted into 24 luxury apartments and made available in 2022, proving a huge success.
Now, the building will be fully occupied with Hull 4 Heroes taking the ground floor commercial space, which offers use of the communal gym and indoor and outdoor recreational spaces.
New home will help charity grow
Since being founded in Hull, Hull 4 Heroes has become one of the region's leading Armed Forces charities, supporting thousands of veterans, serving personnel and families through housing, wellbeing, employment, education and crisis support services.
It is presently based a small unit in Princes Quay Shopping Centre, and the move to King's Buildings represents the next stage in the charity's growth and long-term commitment to the city.
Founder and CEO Paul Matson says that, on the back of a recently awarded Government contract to extend its important services throughout northern Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, it is the right time to move into bigger premises, and a fitting new home.
“We’re thrilled to be moving into such a historic building in a beautiful part of our city, and I believe it will be an ideal and apt new home for us, given its called the King’s Building, and we support those who serve King and country,” he said.
“Given the significant contract we secured earlier this year to extend our services, we needed somewhere where we can further grow as a charity, and King’s Buildings will certainly allow us to do that.
“I have to say, Princes Quay have been fantastic with us and a huge support, but we had to take this opportunity to secure what I am sure will become our recognised home, directly opposite Hull Minster. It’s an ideal location.”
Mr Matson was full of praise for the support shown by Hull commercial property agents Garness Jones, law firm Wilkin Chapman and Rollits and King’s Buildings owners Lucava Developments Limited, for ensuring a deal could be done to secure the lease.
Now, he is hoping to secure more support from local businesses and tradespeople to ensure the premises can be ready to move into, early in 2027.
“We’re aiming at February but ideally I’d like to be partially in before then,” said Mr Matson.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us as we need to complete a full internal office fit-out to turn it into a welcoming, professional space for veterans, serving personnel and their families.
“We are looking for support from local businesses, tradespeople and individuals who may be able to help with building materials, plasterboard and insulation, electrical work, plumbing and heating, joinery, flooring, decorating, office furniture and labour of any kind.
“Every donation, discount, hour of labour, or introduction to someone who may be able to help will make a real difference. Hull 4 Heroes has always been built by the community, and we'd love the community to help us create this next chapter too.”
Charity a ‘perfect fit’ for development
Paul Luen, owner of King’s Buildings, said he was delighted the space was being taken by the Hull charity, having marketed the space for close to two years in search of suitable tenants.
His business, Lucava Developments Limited, successfully transformed the upper three floors of the building into 24 high-end luxury one, two-bed and three-bed apartments in 2022, recognised with a Hull Civic Society award for restoring the Grade II listed building.
He said: “When we set out to create this Grade A office space in King’s Buildings, I wanted it to become the home for a company or organisation that had close links to Hull and was part of the city’s fabric.
“I also always wanted it to be home to a single organisation, which was a challenge given the size of the space. We had interest from health and wellbeing organisations, dental practices and legal firms, but the size narrowed the market.
“When Hull 4 Heroes showed interest, it seemed the perfect fit. It is a fantastic charity which does some wonderful work and is a charity Hull can be proud of.”
Mr Luen praised the support of Hull City Council, which provided Levelling Up funding to help refurbish the ground floor space to a high specification.
“I had excellent support from the council, and that support has in turn enabled me to be helpful and flexible in the terms agreed with Hull 4 Heroes,” he said.
“I hope it becomes a long-term home for the charity now, and one from which it can continue to succeed and grow its work,
“The apartments have been a huge success and are always at a high occupancy level, always letting very quickly when they become available. I think it’s an example of how we can look to raise levels in Hull and raise the bar.
“I think it’s a project Hull can be very proud of.”
A showcase for the city
Paul White, director of Hull-based commercial property specialists Garness Jones, said he was delighted to have supported Hull 4 Heroes in securing the new premises – continuing the business’ association with King’s Buildings, having been involved in its sale to Mr Luen in 2020.
“We’re thrilled to have been part of the journey of the transformation of this historic city building over the past few years, from its redevelopment through to now providing a home for Hull 4 Heroes, a fantastic local charity,” he said.
“It has been a great story showcasing what can be achieved in a city when people come together to recognise the potential of investing back into an historic asset, breathing new life into it and giving it a whole new future.”
