Plans have been submitted to Manchester’s Trafford council led by former United star Gary Neville for a new 10 floor development that will have a 139 bedroom hotel at the junction of Sir Matt Busby Way and Wharfside Way.
The development is a joint venture between Neville and the Old Trafford Supporters Club. Neville will finance the project with money raised from his United testimonial match in May.
The 8,000-square-metre building would be next to the Bridgewater Canal, just yards from the north east side of the stadium. The canal level will be used solely by the supporters club .
There will be capacity for up to 1,200 fans and planned features include projector screens to watch matches, bar areas, restaurants, a club shop, a restaurant and an OTSC board room.
The lower levels will be restricted to supporters club members.
Floors two to eight will house the hotel and there are also plans for a gym for residents and match-day sponsor suites.
The exterior of the building will feature the United home kit colours of red, white and black.
The plans will clearly delight the United fans on match day but support for the project across the city seems to focus on the positives for Manchester as a city and leave club loyalties aside thankfully.
Manchester City supporter Coun Mike Cordingley is fully behind the application, which is independent of the club.
He said: “I am in favour of this application, despite being an avid Blue and season ticket holder. It is an imaginative design and in a space that is currently underdeveloped. It is really clever how they have fitted the development on the proposed site and have done a great job making something out of nothing.
“It will bring business and jobs to the area beyond match days and will enhance the waterfront and encourage people to come to the canal and promenades which at the moment are just dead.
“It is hard for me to oppose this application just because there will be a few extra people walking down Sir Matt Busby Way, I am in favour of it.”
This development will create important job opportunites in the hotel and as such has to be a big positive for the area as a whole, we look forward to following this project and bringing updates on progress.