Transforming listed chocolate factory to later living space

The Chocolate Works Care Village is housed in the former headquarters of the world-renowned Terry’s of York chocolate factory. This landmark 1920s Grade II listed building was brought back to life by Yorkshire-based Springfield Healthcare and now provides 102 registered care beds in individually designed bedrooms complete with en-suite wet rooms.

Our MEP team have worked with Springfield Healthcare on a number of their schemes in Yorkshire. At The Chocolate Works, in collaboration with NORR architects, we delivered an MEP engineering design strategy from RIBA Stage 3.

The principal focus of our work was to support the introduction of a new displacement air system under the floor of the main atrium, a retro lighting system in keeping with the period design of the building, and a services strategy to accommodate the introduction of a mezzanine level, a wide range of resident services and facilities and a daylight strategy.

Our MEP work supported, in particular, the thriving 450 sq m atrium with its original glazed roof. By day this area benefits from natural daylight, and at night our lighting strategy delivers mood lighting and fairy lights. The atrium includes shops, a café, licensed pub, spa, an art-deco styled cinema and a hairdressing salon. Overlooking the atrium is the mezzanine area with a bistro restaurant and a variety of spaces for residents to use to relax.

The Chocolate Works Care Village has won a number of awards including the 2018 Care Home Awards for ‘Best for Architecture, Interior Design or Communal Spaces’.

We have previously delivered MEP design work for Springfield Healthcare on their sites at Seacroft Green Care Centre in Leeds and Mayfield View Care Home in Ilkley, and have supported the ongoing development of schemes in Harrogate and Beverley.