BAM, whose previous projects include the First Direct Arena in Leeds and One Angel Square in Manchester, will begin pre-construction services work immediately.
A revised planning application for the Hull Venue will be submitted to Hull’s Planning Committee next week.
The council has committed £36.2m towards the cost of building the complex on the site behind Princes Quay shopping centre, where new retail facilities and a hotel are proposed.
The investment will also modernise the adjacent Osborne Street car park.
Construction Director for BAM Construction Jason Pink said that if approved by planning committee in February, work on the development will begin later in 2016, with completion scheduled for early 2018.
The music and events arena is expected to inject £13.5m into Hull’s economy annually.