The Chocolate Works Mixed Use Development – York
Bowman Riley masterplanned York’s historic Terry’s Bishopthorpe Factory, creating The Chocolate Works, a vibrant new neighbourhood that won a Game Changer Award at the Yorkshire Property Awards.
Constructed in 1927, Terry’s chocolate factory became an iconic part of the York skyline and was a significant local employer. The site includes five Grade II listed 1920s Art Deco buildings: the Clock Tower and Boiler House, Fruit and Nut store, Headquarters, Time Office and Main Factory.
The factory was the heart of Terry’s operations until Kraft Foods acquired it in the 1990s, and operations moved to Europe. The factory closed in 2005, leaving the buildings vacant English Heritage added five listed buildings to its at-risk Register.
Henry Boot Developments purchased the site in 2013, tasking us with masterplanning a sustainable new neighbourhood. Though the previous owner had secured planning, it didn’t meet the evolving needs of the local population and was heavily weighted toward office and retail.
After reassessing the market and engaging with local people, we focused the masterplan on addressing significant residential demand driven by population growth and an ageing population. We created a masterplan that allowed HBD to adopt a phased approach to the site over several years.
We undertook feasibility studies for developments on the site including a hotel, offices, convenience store and medical centre. We also provided principal designer services to support the health and safety of the development.
The development now delivers 163 apartments and a commercial unit within the Factory; The Clock Tower now houses 21 apartments within the Clock Tower; a dementia care village within the Headquarters building; a new build 40-bedroom Acquired Brain Injury hospital. In addition, the iconic clock was restored, and a museum was created within the clock tower, The Liquor Store hosts a café, dentist, and offices with new streets, squares, green spaces, children’s play areas, and a Peace Garden connect the site to nearby districts.
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