Shipyard visitor centre shortlisted for property award
FINALIST: The visitor centre at North End Shipyard
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
It’s a year away from opening but a new maritime visitor centre is already earning plaudits after being shortlisted for an award.
The visitor centre at North End Shipyard has been shortlisted for the Sustainable and Social Impact Award at the Insider Yorkshire Property Awards 2025.
Designed by Purcell Architects on behalf of Hull City Council, it will tell the story of the city’s shipbuilding legacy and the Arctic Corsair, Hull’s last remaining sidewinder trawler, which will be berthed in a dry dock nearby. The centre is part of a major regeneration project that celebrates Hull’s maritime past while setting new standards for sustainability in cultural buildings.
The awards, which recognise excellence in the property sector across Yorkshire, will be announced on September 18 at New Dock Hall in Leeds.
The other finalists are Baytree Leeds; Leeds II, Latitude Blue; and Radisson Blu, Sheffield.
The judges are seeking projects that demonstrate outstanding commitment to sustainability or social impact in 2024/25, whether through environmental innovation, “placemaking”, community benefit, or the creation of new employment or housing.
TRAILBLAZING: The visitor centre is set to become one of the most energy-efficient cultural buildings in the UK
The Hull visitor centre is set to become one of the most energy-efficient cultural buildings in the UK, achieving Passivhaus certification, which means it requires little or no energy for heating.
Councillor Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, said: “We’re incredibly proud to see the North End Shipyard visitor centre recognised on this shortlist.
“This project is not only about preserving Hull’s maritime heritage – it’s about creating a sustainable, inclusive space that brings people together and tells our story in new and inspiring ways. Being shortlisted is a testament to the hard work and vision of everyone involved.”
Owen Plummer, associate architect at Purcell, said: “Purcell is delighted to be working with Hull City Council in our collective vision of sustainably designing places where people can belong, and we are proud that the visitor centre has been shortlisted for this award.
“The placemaking rejuvenation of the North End Shipyard not only celebrates Hull’s remarkable maritime heritage and associated social impact; it does so with innovative sustainability at its heart, in recognition of and response to the climate emergency.”
The Arctic Corsair and visitor centre form a key part of Hull Maritime, a major heritage project funded by Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The visitor centre is due to open in late next summer 2026.