Gary Neville's Record Office Rents Reignite 'Champagne Socialist' Accusations
Since retiring from professional football, Gary Neville has transformed himself into a prominent property developer, but his latest venture has intensified accusations of hypocrisy. The former Manchester United defender, known for his vocal left-wing political views, is charging premium rents at his new luxury office building, St Michael's, in central Manchester.
Premium Pricing in Manchester's Booming Market
Two major corporations have secured space in Neville's development at rates significantly above Manchester's average. S&P Global has agreed to pay £44 per square foot, while Channel 4 has reportedly signed a deal at £45 per square foot. Both companies have taken over 10,000 square feet each, resulting in annual rents totaling hundreds of thousands of pounds.
This pricing stands in stark contrast to Manchester's average office rent of £32 per square foot, according to property specialists. One estate agent told the Daily Mail: "From a property point of view, Manchester is in a good position. The office market is strong, and it's good to see new developments in the city."
The agent added: "If developments are achieving high rents from multinational corporations, it's good to see. Better quality offices mean better quality businesses will be attracted to the city. But in the wider story, Gary's political and personal views don't blend with him being involved in such a high-profile development. It's at odds with what he believes in."
Manchester's Property Boom
Manchester's property market is currently experiencing significant growth, with Savills data showing the highest regional house price growth in 2025. Office space demand has surged dramatically, with first-quarter 2025 take-up 79% higher than the same period the previous year.
Another property expert commented: "The record-level lettings at No 1 St Michael's to three blue-chip tenants shows the dynamism and attraction of Manchester as a regional destination for business. In nearby Liverpool, there hasn't been a new office development for over twenty years."
Political Controversies and Union Flag Incident
Neville's business activities have frequently clashed with his political activism. The former England international, who joined the Labour Party in 2022 and has appeared alongside Sir Keir Starmer, faced significant backlash in October when he ordered construction workers to remove a Union Flag from his St Michael's development site.
One construction worker recounted: "He was walking past when he saw the flag flying on the fifth floor along with a Moldovan flag and another one. He got on the radio and started asking why the Union Flag was up there. He only mentioned the Union Flag, not the other two, and said it had to come down."
The worker added: "Gary Neville played for England, but he won't let us put a flag up to celebrate the country where we live. It's caused a lot of anger. This wasn't discussed; we were just told."
Neville later defended his actions in a video, stating: "Funnily enough, on one of my development sites last week, there was a Union Jack flag put up, and I took it down instantly. Some people might be watching this and thinking, 'Gary, you are not very patriotic.' I played for my country 85 times and love my country."
Qatar Controversy and Political Commentary
The former footballer has frequently commented on political issues, including criticizing working conditions for migrant workers in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup. However, he faced accusations of hypocrisy for covering the tournament while working for Qatari broadcaster beIN SPORTS.
Neville defended his position, saying: "I detest workers' rights abuses, I hate the idea of people not being paid enough money, working in poor conditions. But I also have relationships with people in this part of the world and have done for many years."
He further sparked controversy by comparing the Conservative government's treatment of nurses to Qatar's approach to migrant workers, drawing criticism from then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Building a Business Empire
Since retiring in 2011, Neville has built a substantial business portfolio estimated at £100 million. His ventures include:
- Co-ownership of League Two club Salford City with former teammates
- The Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester
- University UA92, aimed at helping disadvantaged young people
- The £120 million St Michael's development in Manchester
- A lucrative YouTube series generating £180,000 profit last year
Additionally, Neville earns £1.1 million annually as a Sky Sports pundit, though some viewers have threatened to cancel subscriptions following his political comments.
Development Challenges and Redesign
The St Michael's project initially faced significant opposition when plans included demolishing the historic Sir Ralph Abercromby pub, which dates back to the 1819 Peterloo massacre. Thousands objected to the original proposal, leading Neville to admit the saga left him with a "bloody nose."
After returning to the drawing board, his development company Relentless created a redesigned plan that gained approval from city planners, Historic England, and local residents. Construction began in 2022 and is expected to complete in 2027, creating offices, apartments, a hotel, bars, restaurants, and cafes.
Despite describing himself as "a capitalist" and "entrepreneurial businessman who likes to make a profit," Neville continues to face the "champagne socialist" label as his property ventures flourish alongside his political activism.
