Respond to the difficulty of many young top athletes to find accommodation. This is the objective of the “coliving” space, which will open in Montreuil (Seine-Saint-Denis). On May 13, an agreement between Harvey , the company operating third places, carrier of the project; the municipality of Montreuil; the RSCM judo Montreuil and the athletic club of Montreuil (1st French athletics club) will be officially signed to create this place. No solvency requirement will be required of them from the athletes, Harvey contenting himself with a “moral” guarantee from the club of residence.
Three former professional judokas
It must be said that two of the associates of this company based in Bordeaux, Romaric Gaudemer and David Inquel, are former French judo champions, and that the third is none other than David Douillet, the former world champion of discipline. Miriam Annoni, who completes the quartet, is a real estate expert.
“Most young athletes live off bonuses and partnerships. They earn a living, but do not have a stable situation from a donor’s point of view, hence their difficulties. We trust the clubs not to send us deadbeats! “, explains David Inquel.
The future co-living space in Montreuil will be the first of the new life of the Harvey company, which achieved 1.5 million euros in turnover in 2020. Originally founded by David Inquel in 2017 , after the sale of his first company (Y-Nov), it was originally intended to serve him as an “early retirement”, and only carry out a few small real estate transactions per year.
Several projects throughout France
The meeting with his associates gave him the idea of these residences for athletes. “As we all have a busy career, the municipalities trust us. We have already signed up for many co-living spaces, with a total of more than 1,500 beds, throughout France”, explains the manager.
Most of these projects are much larger than that of Montreuil, which will only have 18 furnished single rooms, of around 25 square meters. Rented “about 25% above the market price”, they will in exchange give access to a collective kitchen, a rooftop, a projection room, a garden with an open kitchen and sports equipment. The total cost of the project is estimated at 2.65 million euros.
To finance future constructions, while none has yet been completed, David Inquel is already planning to raise funds “several tens of millions” by the end of the year.
