Deji Properties was founded by Chris Burton, a proud Middletonian with a deep-rooted connection to North Manchester.
Since leaving school, Chris has worked freelance in the TV and Film industry, contributing to projects across comedy (League of Gentlemen, Phoenix Nights), children’s television (Mister Maker, CBeebies Panto), documentaries (Mighty Ships, Most Haunted), and feature films (Paddington 2, 24 Hour Party People, Parole Officer).
Like many self-employed professionals, Chris faced the challenge of having no pension, leading him to invest in property as a long-term retirement plan.
From Salford to the USA: The Early Investments
His first purchase was a top-floor apartment with a wraparound balcony in Salford Quays, close to MediaCityUK. Seeking further opportunities, Chris expanded into America, acquiring:
- 3 apartments near Niagara Falls, New York;
- 8 large detached homes in Michigan;
- A luxury villa with a private pool near Disney, Florida.
As the value of the U.S. dollar surged, these American properties were sold, and Deji Properties Ltd was established in 2018. The Salford Quays apartment was sold in 2021, shifting focus to a concentrated investment strategy within a square-mile area of Middleton, Chris’ hometown.
Building a Thriving Property Portfolio
Over the past six years, Deji Properties has grown into a thriving investment company with a portfolio exceeding £5,000,000 in value, with low leverage.
We’ve invested significantly in the local area, forming strong relationships with high-quality local suppliers and tradespeople, ensuring our properties are maintained to the highest standards. Our hands-on approach has also helped us build great relationships with our tenants, fostering long-term stability across our portfolio.
Against all odds, we also designed Greater Manchester’s first A-rated EPC multi-unit development, proving that eco-investing is both possible and commercially viable. This milestone reflects our commitment to sustainable development and pushing the boundaries of energy efficiency in property investment.
Expanding into Commercial Property & Storage
With a solid foundation in residential property, in 2024 we expanded into commercial real estate through Apiary Estates Ltd, acquiring and redeveloping historic mill spaces into modern business hubs.
In 2025 we launched Outta Space, our container storage business, providing secure and flexible storage solutions for businesses and individuals.
Why ‘Deji’?
De, from the Chinese word 德 – meaning integrity, morality, wise, kind.
Ji, from the Chinese word 吉 – meaning lucky, propitious, good.
These values guide everything we do—whether it’s supporting local businesses, maintaining our properties to the highest standard, or forging lasting relationships with our tenants.