Remember the old Broadway Hotel in Hull? Prepare to be amazed! This iconic city centre building has undergone a stunning £1 million transformation, now reborn as a cutting-edge flexible workspace. From pub to nightclub to modern offices, its history is incredible. Curious how they blended its storied past with a futuristic vision?
A significant £1 million investment has breathed new life into a historic Hull city centre landmark, transforming the former Broadway Hotel into The Broadway Workspace, a state-of-the-art flexible office environment designed to foster innovation and productivity for modern businesses.
The building, originally established as the Broadway Hotel on Ferensway in the 1930s, boasts a rich and varied history. Over the decades, it has served as a vibrant social hub, housing the popular Shire Horse pub, followed by Grob and Ducat, before becoming the well-known Propaganda nightclub and the Broadway Party Bar, which continues to operate in a section of the premises.
Acquired by the visionary Flexworks Group two years ago, the main section of the building had remained dormant since the pandemic, despite previous attempts to renovate its historic interiors. Flexworks envisioned a complete revitalization, aiming to convert the aging structure into premium, flexible workspaces that cater to the evolving needs of contemporary businesses and individual professionals in the Hull commercial property market.
The extensive refurbishment project, totaling just over £1 million, saw a meticulous overhaul of the premises. Rick Bakhshi, CEO and founder of Flexworks Group, personally invested approximately £700,000, underscoring his commitment to the venture. This significant property development initiative focused on creating a comfortable yet modern environment, carefully balancing the building’s heritage with contemporary design principles.
Today, two of the four floors at The Broadway Workspace are fully operational, offering a fresh space tailored for burgeoning and expanding small businesses, as well as individual entrepreneurs. Complementing the workspace is a new coffee shop on the ground floor, providing a convenient amenity for tenants and visitors alike, enhancing the overall business support ecosystem within the building.
Mr. Bakhshi and his team meticulously explored the building’s storied past, uncovering captivating images from its hotel days, including stables, smoking rooms, and maids’ quarters. He emphasized, “We are a modern looking workspace but we don’t want to forget what this used to be, and when you walk around the building you get a vibe of that.” This approach ensures that while the space is forward-looking, its unique history remains an integral part of its identity, contributing to a unique flexible workspace offering.
The development also prioritized local engagement, with Flexworks exclusively hiring local talent for the interior work. Mr. Bakhshi elaborated on their strategic plan: “We came up with a plan on what we thought Hull needed in terms of workspace,” highlighting a dedication to understanding and serving the local economic growth needs. The commitment extends to providing superior office solutions that differentiate The Broadway Workspace in the regional market.
To further engage the community and showcase the completed improvements, Flexworks will host a networking event and open day on September 16th. This event will feature talks on various topics, including AI, LinkedIn, accounting, bookkeeping, and a historian will delve into the hotel’s rich history, reinforcing the blend of past and future. Mr. Bakhshi proudly states, “It’s the most premium space in Hull,” aiming to redefine perceptions of what flexible workspaces can offer.
