Ex-hull FC star first to move into Glass House apartments
FORMER CAPTAIN MAKES CITY RETURN
A FORMER Hull FC captain and his s wife have become the first residents s of exclusive city centre apartments.
Tracy and Russ Walker have received keys to a two bedroom apartment at The Glass House e over-looking Queens Gardens.
As a player and coach at Hull FC in the 1990s, Russ left the area in 2002, to return home to the Lake District t and went on to meet his wife Tracy. The couple continued to travel between their home in the Lake Dis- trict and visiting friends in Hull.
Russ said: “I spent 12 years living g in Hull. I came to play for Hull FC in n 1990 and when I left rugby worked at t BAE Systems in Brough.
“In 2002 I moved back to Cumbria where I’ve been working for BAE Systems Submarines in Barrow-in-furness. Tracy works in intensive care at Furness General Hospital, also in Barrow.
“We wanted to invest in property and looked at a number of developments abroad but the more we thought about going back to the same place instead of being able to explore other parts of the world, it made more sense to buy a property we could use regularly in the UK.”
The couple decided to invest in the city Russ fell in love with all those years ago.
He said: “We come to Hull at least once a month to visit friends we’ve made through both the rugby world and also BAE Systems. We have a full social life in Hull and follow the rugby, so it already feels like home to the both of us.
“Hull is a lovely place, a beautiful city, that’s h ’ really ll well ll situated d for the coast, countryside and other cities are close by for days out. I never understood why people knock this city, it really has got so much to offer.
“During our research we looked at the Marina and some other properties in the city centre but visited The Glass House first, one of the first to view. It was love at first sight, we cancelled viewings at other properties and paid d our deposit there and then.”
Tracy explained that it ended up being an easy decision to choose Hull over a place overseas.
She said: “We’ve made some e amazing friends in Hull who feel more like family now - it always feels like we’re coming home. We both h agreed that we’d get more use out t of a second home here, rather than n overseas.
“Our grown up children also o want to use the apartment on week- - ends d and dd during h holidays ld as they h absolutely love the place.
“They were delighted when we showed them the apartment which is so close to all of the local amenities, plus we have parking, which is a huge benefit for city centre living.”
The couple admits they will not be able to enjoy it all properly until lockdown ends, but they are looking forward to their stays in the city.
Tracy said: “During our research to buy, The Glass House really stood out, a totally unique building and the prices were similar to older developments, so even for a brand new apartment we weren’t paying any more.
“Everything is within walking distance of The Glass House, it makes living here effortless.
“Obviously everything is closed due to lockdown but we already know the area; the bars and restaurants etc. Having a gym is fantastic and our children and grandchildren are looking forward to using the cinema when they can eventually visit.
“Plus Dave, the concierge is a fantastic individual. He’s so helpful and friendly - having someone on-site feels like a real bonus.
“I think people take it for granted how beautiful Hull is. It’s the same for us living in the Lake District, but looking around the city centre, we’ve got it all. Plus Queen’s Garden’s will be refurbished, making living here even better.”
The Glass House consists of mixture of 94 one, two, three and four bedroom apartments and penthouses with prices starting from £140,000.
As a result of City of Culture, Iguana Developments invested over £43m worth of private funds.
This apartment development is the third in a series of commercial office buildings, refurbished to regenerate Hull City Centre for residential use.
It was love at first sight, we cancelled viewings at other properties and paid our deposit there and then Russ Walker