Crafting Modern Commercial Spaces for Small, Medium and Independent Businesses
Backed by our track record in residential excellence, we’re poised to redefine commercial real estate to promote entrepreneurship and business with thoughtfully crafted developments that foster growth, collaboration, and community.
Our Vision
Our Mission
Our mission is to design environments where small, medium, and independent businesses can thrive — spaces that blend innovative layouts, modern amenities, and a welcoming atmosphere.
About us
Black Dog Property Development Ltd was founded by three driven individuals from the North of England—Sam, Dean, and John Paul. During lockdown, a shared passion for property and a strong desire to change our futures brought us together.
We initially built our reputation in residential properties, where we honed our expertise through accredited training, business planning, and systemisation. Now, we’re expanding our vision into the commercial property sector, bringing the same dedication and diligence to creating exceptional spaces for small, medium and independent businesses.
At Black Dog, we pride ourselves on our transparency and our commitment to doing exactly what we promise. By prioritising quality, we ensure that every project we undertake bears the Black Dog name with pride. Our investors benefit from great returns, and our trusted team helps us deliver outstanding results, time and again.
If you’d like to learn more about our journey or explore how you can be part of it, we invite you to schedule a call with one of our directors. For a closer look at our progress reports, project updates, and behind-the-scenes photos, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
In everything we do, we strive to improve the property industry by creating exceptional spaces while upholding fairness, openness, and responsibility—a commitment we take seriously, both to our tenants and to the communities we serve.
Our Directors
Dean Ellis
Following a 12 year career in the British Army, Royal Engineers, Dean is now employed as a Consultant Project Manager. Bringing this military experience to the Black Dog business, he also possesses the APM (PMQ), NEC4 accreditation and multiple NEBOSH qualifications. This breadth of knowledge allows for a full appreciation of project lifecycles, related contracts and a clear understanding of health and safety legislation.
A husband, father and dogfather (x2), he possesses additional residential experience from previous endeavours and brings these valuable lessons to our business. Away from business interests, Dean is a keen footballer and a long suffering Newcastle United fan.
JP has a strong background in planning, with expertise in project management, data capture, and strategic delivery. His experience has honed his ability to leverage data for informed decision-making, and he is now applying these skills to his long-held passion for property development, with a focus on business growth and systemisation.
Beyond work, JP is a dedicated competitor in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and an endurance athlete, having completed an Ironman and a 100-mile ultramarathon. He brings the same resilience and discipline to business—and, for better or worse, also remains a loyal Newcastle United fan
JP Hipkin
Sam Atkinson
Following a 10 year military career in the Royal Engineers, Sam is now an APM PMQ qualified Project Manager, employed by Centrica. Combining this wealth of military engineering experience and values with a passion for property development, Sam is also a qualified joiner with considerable experience of property refurbishments. Very much a ‘hands on’ person, this skillset is of great benefit to the business and has been utilised in all aspects of the Black Dog refurbishment process.
Sam currently resides in Carlisle with his wife, Phoebe, and 2 small dogs, Mo and Bobby. A very talented sportsman, Sam has represented the armed forces at the highest level possible and also enjoys playing golf in his spare time.