University owned site could be turned into new homes

A historic Hull building on a two-acre site has been placed on the market with an asking price of £1.3m.

The University of Hull-owned Dennison Centre, in Cottingham Road, was an officer’s hospital during the First World War and even accommodated Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien in 1917.

In recent years the building, which stands opposite the main university campus on Cottingham Road, has been used as a conference centre, offices, and for use by international students.

Paul White, agency director at commercial property specialists Garness Jones is handling the sale of the building for the University of Hull.

He said the University has already had indicative plans prepared which show how the three-storey Dennison Centre could be converted into 15 apartments (11 two bedroomed and four one bedroomed), whilst the land has enough space for a further seven detached four-bedroom homes.

The site includes another property which has already been converted into two self-contained flats.

White added: “This is a really excellent opportunity for the right buyer to create a high-quality residential development.

“It is a desirable location as it is well-placed just a few miles out of Hull city centre, but close to Newland Park, which is a beautiful area, and of course Newland Avenue, which is highly sought after due to its busy day and evening economy with retail, cafes and restaurants.

“It is also well placed for Kingswood and Beverley, so as a location, ticks many boxes for a new residential development.”

The sale will go to the ‘best bid’ at the end of September.

White said: “The only stipulation on future owners, which will be placed on the title by the vendor, is that the property not be used for the purposes of student accommodation to occupy, let or otherwise take possession of any building or part of a building on the site.”