Neville’s urban living plan and digital goal
GARY Neville revealed he is close to buying a digital agency in Manchester as he gave the MIPIM property conference an overview of his property activities.
Neville, who is an active developer, alongside his other jobs as Sky football pundit and England team coach, spoke of his pride at delivering Hotel Football – which opened two weeks ago next to Old Trafford – and his excitement at plans for the Stock Exchange building on Norfolk Street in the city centre, and his aspirations for Jacksons Row – a street linking Deansgate with Albert Square.
The unexpected revelation regarding his planned investment into the un-named digital agency came almost as an aside during his 15 minute presentation.
He said: “We are in talks at the moment to acquire a digital company in Manchester. I believe strongly that interior, PR, digital all links together, and it’s something that I have found that’s been a hole when I have been looking at property development over the last three or four years.
“We are in a digital world, and I want a piece of that, and think we have found a company that I believe will enhance everything we do.”
He added: “I am young into this game (property), but I am energised by Manchester and proud to be a Mancunian”.
Discussing his plans for the Stock Exchange, he said the building would become a boutique hotel and also be “Manchester’s exclusive business club”, a place where business people can connect socially and commercially, while also keeping fit in its gym.
“It will have the largest roof terrace in the city with space for 200-300 people – I love the concept of outdoor leisure space. I am not afraid to admit to stealing the idea from the Restarant Bar and Grill (on John Dalton Street), and I love being out on it, even when it’s wet and windy.”
He added: “I don’t believe there’s an excuse for any new building in the city centre to not have a roof terrace.”
While the Stock Exchange project already has planning approval, he said the Jacksons Row development was a longer-term play.
“We are talking to stakeholders like English Heritage and the council -it’s at an early stage.
“This time next year I hope to be here talking more about what I beleive will be a spectacular scheme for Manchester.”
He said Make Architects had been appointed and the aim was to create a link from Spinningfields to Albert Square.
Neville added he wanted the mixed-used scheme to have “fantastic openm spaces” and pledged the residential element would have ‘gardens in the sky’ to entice more families to come back and live in the city.
