About Apiary Estates

Founded on experience. Built for the future.

From Bees to Business

Apiary Estates was founded in 2024 by Chris Burton. Peter Reynolds joined in 2025, bringing together decades of experience in property, business, and a shared passion for creating thriving commercial communities.

The name "Apiary" reflects our philosophy: like a beehive, we believe commercial spaces work best when they foster collaboration, productivity, and growth. Just as bees create something greater together, we aim to build business environments where tenants thrive alongside one another.

Our latest acquisition, Heath House Mill in Golcar, represents everything we stand for: breathing new life into historic spaces, creating opportunities for businesses of all sizes, and building long-term value through thoughtful property management.

Heath House Mill aerial view

Company History

October 2024

Apiary Estates Established

Apiary Estates was founded with a clear vision: to acquire, improve, and manage quality multi-let commercial properties across the North of England. The company was established by Chris Burton, building on his property investment experience.

January 2025

Outta Space Setup

Following the company's founding, Apiary Estates transformed overgrown wasteland on Church Street, Middleton into Outta Space — a secure container storage facility. The site was cleared and equipped with 8 storage containers, CCTV surveillance, and floodlighting.

September 2025

Peter Reynolds Joins

Peter Reynolds joined Apiary Estates as Co-Founder and Director, bringing his extensive property investment experience and successful business background. His addition strengthened the company's acquisition and management capabilities.

April 2026

Heath House Mill Acquisition

Apiary Estates completed the acquisition of Heath House Mill in Golcar, Huddersfield — a historic 1861 cotton mill with 44 commercial units and 108,000 sq ft of flexible space. This marked the company's first major multi-let commercial property.

Meet the Founders

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Chris Burton

Co-Founder & Director

Chris began his career in the TV and film industry as a cameraman, working across a wide range of productions from Phoenix Nights to Most Haunted. Over time, he progressed into senior roles, supervising major productions including Eurovision (Liverpool 2022) and VFX on the Paddington film.

Because of the uncertainty of freelance income, Chris began building other businesses in 1999; a focus that continues to this day. He has developed and exited multiple ventures across a wide range of products: from gadgets and batteries to camera accessories and, more recently, beekeeping equipment.

In 2008, Chris turned to property investment to invest for his financial future. His journey began in New York, followed by investments in Detroit and Florida; in total a dozen residential properties across America were purchased, renovated and rented. In 2018, he exited the US market to focus on opportunities closer to home in Manchester.

Returning to the UK, Chris rapidly built a multi-million pound residential property portfolio within just two years, demonstrating a sharp ability to identify value and execute decisively. Among his standout achievements, he designed and delivered Greater Manchester's first A-rated EPC multi-unit development; reflecting a strong commitment to quality, efficiency, and sustainability.

Alongside this, Chris has always had a strong affinity for small businesses and entrepreneurs, having built several of his own from the ground up. This naturally led to a growing interest in the spaces small businesses operate from and how the right environment can support growth, collaboration, and long-term success. In 2024 the decision was made to invest in commercial property and Apiary Estate was established, bringing together Chris' experience in property, business, and hands-on asset management.

Today, Chris leads the strategic direction of Apiary Estates, focusing on acquisitions and hands-on asset management to unlock the full potential of each property.

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Peter Reynolds

Co-Founder & Director

Peter is an experienced property investor who has owned and managed residential investment properties for many years. He has built his own portfolio of houses across Manchester, including HMOs, and has established himself as a proactive, hands-on landlord with a strong focus on tenant relationships, property standards, and long-term performance.

His professional background includes extensive experience in national recruitment, where he built and managed successful teams across the UK. This people-focused expertise translates directly into his approach to property management, with a clear emphasis on communication, reliability, and creating environments where tenants and businesses can thrive.

In 2014, Peter founded a branded reusable cup company supplying events across the UK. Built entirely from the ground up, the business went on to deliver over 25,000,000 cups to more than 5,000 happy - and often returning - clients. Under Peter's leadership, the company grew into a recognised name in its sector before being successfully exited in March 2025 in a multi-million pound deal. This experience gave him valuable insight into commercial operations, financial management, and strategic growth.

Alongside his business interests, Peter continued to grow and manage his property portfolio, developing a strong understanding of asset performance, tenant demand, and operational efficiency, experience that naturally supports Apiary Estates' commercial strategy.

Peter joined Apiary Estates in September 2025, bringing together his property investment experience, entrepreneurial track record, and hands-on management approach. He plays a key role in acquisitions, lender relationships, and portfolio strategy, ensuring each investment is well-structured and positioned for long-term success.

How We Work

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Collaborative Communities

Like bees in a hive, we believe businesses thrive when they're part of a supportive community. Our properties bring together diverse tenants who can learn from and support one another.

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Heritage & Progress

We specialise in historic properties with character, bringing modern amenities to spaces with stories to tell.

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Long-Term Value

We're not flippers. We buy, improve, and hold — creating sustained value through active management and genuine care for our properties and tenants.

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Tenant Partnership

We view our relationship with tenants as a partnership. Flexible terms, responsive management, and genuine interest in their success.

Building a Portfolio

Building a portfolio of quality commercial assets across the North of England.

We are actively seeking additional multi-let commercial properties across the North of England, with a focus on:

  • Historic industrial buildings with character
  • 12+ tenant multi-let opportunities
  • £1.5m — £2.5m acquisition range
  • 12%+ gross yield targets
  • Manchester, West Yorkshire, and surrounding regions

Our goal is to build a portfolio of quality commercial assets that generate sustainable income while preserving and enhancing the industrial heritage of the North.

2 Sites
52 Units Managed
111,000 Square Feet
£5m Portfolio Value

Want to Know More?

Whether you're interested in leasing space, have a property investment opportunity, or just want to learn more about our plans, we'd love to hear from you.