Waterfront location welcomes its latest big-named operator

Hull’s waterfront business district has welcomed its newest big-name occupier.

Well known family company, JR Rix & Sons Ltd, has started a phased move to Two Humber Quays – a modern, grade A office development on Wellington Street – which it acquired earlier this year as its new headquarters.

The company is moving from its long-term base in Spyvee Street to take over the ground floor and parts of the second and third floors of the five-storey building.

Rix will join current occupiers RSM UK, BCD Travel, and design and fit-out specialists Chameleon Business Interiors, all of which remained in the landmark development throughout the buy-out.

Rory Clarke, managing director of JR Rix & Sons, said the Rix Group was undergoing significant change, including a far-reaching digital transformation under the latest family member to join the business – Harry Rix – and the new location was indicative of this progression.

He said: “JR Rix & Sons has a heritage stretching back more than 150 years in Hull and that has been achieved by evolving with the business landscape, here and nationally, and through innovation.

“We have also always had a culture of reinvesting our profits back into the business to generate new commercial opportunities and jobs in Hull and further afield.

“The move to Two Humber Quays sees us take one of the most prestigious business addresses in the city that has enabled our success, and that is a huge source of pride for everyone at JR Rix and Sons.”

The company completed the buy-out in February 2021 and since then, has been fitting out the building to meet its needs.

Part of the work includes the creation of a new innovation centre where people can collaborate and explore ideas that they wouldn’t get the opportunity to do in their day-to-day roles.

Clarke added that this type of collaboration helped to build the business’s culture, which has been essential to its ongoing success.

He said: “COVID has demonstrated how home working can be effective, but we have always taken the view that a well-designed, attractive office space that people want to come to is central to a successful business.

“It facilitates collaborating, new ideas and innovations and colleague relationships in a way remote working cannot.

“Ultimately, a shared physical space creates culture. This has been one of the main drivers for investing in Two Humber Quays.”

The company acquired the building from former owners Colsilverbird A SARL, a Luxembourg investment firm.

Clarke added that with Rix’s origins as a shipping business, the location near the Humber estuary and the city’s marina ties the building to the company’s maritime heritage.

He said: “Two Humber Quays is a beautiful, modern office development that will enable us to comfortably accommodate all of our current staff and provides room for future growth.

“But the real draw is the location. Being on the water’s edge and adjacent to the marina affords us the best views in the city, looking over the estuary where it all started more than 150 years ago.”

JR Rix & Sons was advised by Steve Carrick of Carrick Real Estate, Dave Garness of Garness Jones, and Glenn Craft and Sophie Wheeldon of Rollits Solicitors while securing the deal.

Knight Frank and TT&G Partners acted for the seller.