Gary Neville ponders property and the rise of City at MIPIM

The new univerisity

IT is easier to build a hotel than your own house according to Gary Neville.

The former Manchester United captain was speaking at the MIPIM property convention in Cannes yesterday where he reflected on his experiences of property development and his love of Manchester.

Mr Neville, who is currently building a 139-bed hotel next to Old Trafford, said: “It’s the biggest project I’ve done but the same principles apply. Doing your own house is more difficult than a hotel in the sense it’s more personal. With a hotel it’s quite clinical.”

In conversation with Mike Emmerich, chief executive of the New Economy think tank, Mr Neville said he bought his first house at 19 and started his first development – a 12,000 sq ft barn conversion in Bolton – in his early twenties. He later went on to have a three-year planning battle over a carbon neutral house that was branded a “teletubby home” because of the way it was set into open countryside.

He said: “We’re going to operate the hotel. I like to experience things and do it the hard way. We had hotel brands lined up to manage it but to me that would be handing it over and stepping back. Me and Ryan [Giggs] have set up a management team and we want to do it ourselves. We want people to go in there and have a definite experience – a vibrant and energetic experience.

“For me it’s not the easy way, and investors would say it’s not the sensible way but I want to learn, experience things and become a better person.”

He spoke about his own property consultancy, Zerum, which is based in Jordan gary neville ryan giggsStreet in the city centre and offers a range of services from mechanical and electrical design to planning advice and project management.

“We wanted a holistic approach so there’s no gaps and voids,” said Mr Neville, who also discussed the impact football has had on Manchester’s international reputation.

“You can’t separate Manchester city centre’s development and football. If you go around the world and mention Manchester they’ll say… ‘Manchester United’.”

“What about the other name?” asked Mike Emmerich.

“They’re starting to. Generally it’s a huge positive to have two clubs of that stature. You can’t think about Manchester without thinking about football and the impact of it.”

In a quick fire round Neville took questions from Twitter.

Who’s going to win the league?

Until a few months ago I would’ve said City, but now I think Chelsea.

Is the best United can do this season Thursday night on Channel 5? (a reference to the Europa League)

That’s the worst!

Favourite building in Manchester?

The library.

The worst?

I bought a single-storey 1960s pub in Swinton. I’m still stuck with it, does anybody want it?

Best new developments in Manchester?

I’m building an apartment at the Jordan Street office. It’s a small thing but I want an apartment in Manchester. Those personal ideas still excite me. Spinningfields is sensational for Manchester. That’s a huge achievement… it’s a massive statement.

Best England manager?

It has to be Sir Alf Ramsey but I didn’t know him. On a personal level it would be Terry Venables. We should’ve won it. (Neville was part of Venables’ Euro 1996 side which went out on penalties in the semi-final).

England’s prospects for the World Cup?

Is that a one-word answer (laughs). I’m excited because last week for 20 minutes [during the friendly against Denmark] with Lallana, Shaw, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sturridge all on the pitch it was good. We always put ourselves down but we’ve got talent.

Property or punditry?

Are they comparable? I love watching football but I love being in Manchester… I love the idea of having meetings with architects or project teams. When you’re a football player and you’ve played for Manchester United and you’ve walked out of the tunnel for 20 years, it’s difficult to replace that almost constant adrenaline rush. I’m still as happy going into an office, I never feel it’s mundane or boring. I love both equally.

Suit or shorts?

Suit. I’ve not played football since Paul Scholes’ testimonial and it was such an embarassing experience. My last games at United were shocking. At Paul Scholes’ testimonial I played for 20 minutes and it was painful. I thought, ‘I don’t want to play anymore’. I’d rather be having meetings. My life’s moved on.

Manchester or Cannes?

Cannchester.

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