M Core Acquires Queens House in Hull City Centre as Part of £11 Million Deal

Hull's city centre regeneration has received a significant boost with the news that property investment firm M Core has acquired Queens House, a prominent 147,116 sq ft mixed-use island site in the heart of the city, as part of a triple acquisition worth over £11 million.

The building, which occupies frontages on King Edward Street, Jameson Street, Paragon Street and Chapel Street, sits directly opposite the £96 million Albion Square regeneration scheme — one of the most ambitious development projects in the north of England. The acquisition positions M Core at the centre of Hull's transformation and signals growing investor confidence in the city's future.

A strategic acquisition

Queens House is one of Hull city centre's most recognisable buildings, with its fully pedestrianised street frontages making it a prime location for retail, leisure and commercial tenants. The building currently houses a mix of national and independent businesses, and M Core has indicated that its plans will focus on repositioning the asset and unlocking long-term value.

The deal forms part of a wider acquisition strategy by M Core, which also purchased Newton Hall in Durham and the Triangle Centre in Clevedon as part of the same transaction. However, it is the Hull acquisition that has attracted the most attention, given the city's ambitious regeneration agenda.

"Hull is a city on the up, and Queens House is a landmark building in a prime location," said a M Core spokesperson. "We see significant potential to enhance the offer and create something that the city can be proud of. The proximity to Albion Square makes this an incredibly exciting opportunity."

Part of Hull's £19.5 million investment programme

The acquisition sits within Hull City Council's wider £19.5 million city-centre investment programme, which aims to attract private sector investment, improve the public realm and create a more vibrant, attractive city centre. The council has been working to position Hull as a destination for investors, and the M Core deal is being seen as evidence that the strategy is bearing fruit.

Long-term plans for the Queens House site could include a mixed-use scheme featuring around 200 homes alongside commercial and retail space. Importantly, any redevelopment would retain the building's famous Three Ships Mural, a much-loved piece of public art that has become a symbol of Hull's maritime heritage.

Regeneration momentum

The deal adds to a growing wave of investment in Hull city centre, which has seen major projects including Albion Square, the Bonus Arena, and the ongoing transformation of the Fruit Market quarter. The city's cultural offer, anchored by its year as UK City of Culture in 2017, continues to attract visitors and businesses.

"What we're seeing in Hull right now is a virtuous circle," said a Hull City Council spokesperson. "Good investment attracts more investment, and the quality of the projects coming forward is raising the bar. Queens House is a prime example — a major building in a fantastic location, now in the hands of an investor with a clear vision."

For shoppers and visitors, the immediate impact is likely to be minimal, with existing tenants continuing to trade. However, as M Core develops its plans, the promise of new tenants, improved facilities and potential residential development could transform this corner of the city centre.

The acquisition is another sign that Hull's long-awaited renaissance is gathering pace — and that investors from outside the region are starting to take notice.