Home sweet home: Rowntree factory being developed into one, two and three bedroom apartments

The world-renowned Rowntree factory on Haxby Road, York, is preparing to have a new lease of life, in the form of a new community made up of 279 studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments.

Named The Cocoa Works in honour of its history and the iconic confectionery brands that were produced there throughout the 20th Century, it will soon welcome the first homeowners.

The building has been faithfully redeveloped by Latimer, the development arm of Clarion Housing Group, with features that pay homage to its industrial history being combined with contemporary design.

With interior design by Tegerdine Associates, the building blends old and new, with its intricate structure meaning no two apartments are exactly the same. Each one comes with industrial elements and fittings throughout, with contemporary finishes, hi-spec Bosch kitchen appliances, and brightness provided by large windows.

More than a place to call home

As well as the high quality, characterful apartments, the Cocoa Works building will house the Joseph Rowntree Memorial Library, providing flexible space for hybrid working and socialising, with a concierge base and residents’ lounge included.

Beautiful, revitalised gardens are also being completed on the site, giving residents a refreshing space to relax and socialise with family and friends.

Rowntree’s was founded in 1862 by Henry Isaac Rowntree, whose brother Joseph joined him in the business in 1869, forming Rowntree & Co. Henry Rowntree led the business into the newly emerging confectionary market, which was proving lucrative at the time.

Historic brands

In 1881, Fruit Pastilles were created to compete against French imports of the time, and found huge success, accounting for a quarter of the company’s production by 1887.

The profits generated by this success allowed Rowntree & Co to invest in new premises on Haxby Road, north of York city centre, creating what would come to be known as the famous Rowntree Factory.

By the early 1900s, the factory was fully operational and ushered in methods of cocoa manufacture that were state of the art at the time.

Building a community

Joseph Rowntree was a philanthropist and also very much ahead of his time when it came to worker welfare and social value, which explains the additional presence of facilities such as a dining hall, school room, gym, lecture halls and an orchard in the premises.

Throughout the early 20th century, the brand developed into a globally renowned name, thanks to sweets and chocolate with distinctive brand identities such as Aero, KitKat and Black Magic, all created at The Cocoa Works and still popular today. The factory itself also became iconic in the region.

Nestlé acquired Rowntree in 1988 and continued to produce the well-loved and world-famous brands, eventually moving to a new and modern facility.

A sweet future

Now, the building is set to become a community once again, after being bought by Latimer in 2017 and named in honour its rich history.

Continuing the Rowntrees’ legacy of social values, 30% of the development’s apartments will be available on an affordable basis.

The first show apartment opened to the public earlier this year, allowing interested buyers to get a glimpse of life in the Cocoa Works, and now with 70% of the apartments already sold, the first residents will soon be moving in to start life there for real.

The Cocoa Works, and the affordable routes to owning an apartment there, can visit thecocoa-works.com for more information, or call 01904 390301.