Clearance of the former Debenhams building has commenced and construction will soon be underway at the building in Hull, transforming the former store into 178 city centre apartments, as part of DBG Group Holdings Limited’s multi-million-pound investment into the city.
The building on Prospect Street has stood vacant since 2021 but is now undergoing redevelopment by DBG Group.
The project was made possible by Hull City Council agreeing new lease terms with Gateway Hull Limited and DBG Group to allow for residential use, alongside the retention of an element of ground floor retail use.
Planning permission was granted by the council in December 2025 and the revised lease structure provided the developer with the security required to obtain development funding and to enable the comprehensive refurbishment of the asset.
DBG has already invested more than £20 million across a number of projects in Hull, including the completed Dunedin House (The Merchant) on Percy Street and Shirethorn House (City Point), which have created over 100 new city centre homes.
The redevelopment of the former Debenhams building is anticipated to attract a further £3.7m of private investment into Hull, whilst also bringing back into use a long-term vacant building.
DBG has also submitted plans for the former Circus Circus building on Ferensway which, if approved, would see an additional 164 homes and around 5,000sqm of commercial space created.
The total investment for all of these projects is predicated to surpass £75 million.
Tom Danby, MD of DBG Group, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Hull City Council to bring forward the redevelopment of the former Debenhams building, which marks an important step in the continued regeneration of the city centre.
“We anticipate our total investment in Hull will be more than £75 million and it was a pleasure to work with council officers whose support has been crucial in bringing the deal over the line.”
“We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively to deliver high-quality developments that support the cities ongoing growth.”
The Debenhams redevelopment and DBG Group’s investment supports the council’s wider city-centre regeneration objectives, including the requirement for around 2,500 new city centre homes, as well as delivering a key part Hull’s City Centre Vision in relation to the ‘Prospect Triangle’ and Ferensway.
Chris Jackson, director for regeneration and partnerships at the council, said: “Regeneration of the former Debenhams building is a great example of the public and private sectors working together.
“It demonstrates the council’s commitment to meeting its target of an additional 2,500 city centre homes, as well as continuing to deliver the potential set out in our City Centre Vision.
“This investment from DBG Group also shows confidence that the private sector has in Hull and will help to boost our city centre residential offer and economy.”