His compatriot Joseph Rowntree also opened a factory in York in the late 1890s. This action launched the most pivotal episode of the city’s industrial legacy. This factory, known as one of Rowntree’s garden factories, churned out chocolate with a conscience. It was known for its architectural focus on employee welfare, providing ample outdoor space and educational facilities to their families. Today, this historic site has recently been rehabbed into a market-rate apartment complex called the Cocoa Works.
The Cocoa Works is another red-brick monument to York’s industrial past. It’s currently filled with modern reimagined living spaces, but much of its original architecture has been preserved. Residents are treated to some breathtaking views of the readily visible city, full of Regency, Victorian and Edwardian architecture. The smart redevelopment project represents a new wave of downtown revitalization, as once-ignored buildings are adapted to the needs of 21st century housing demands.
York is proud to celebrate its glorious chocolate history. Mix that with the captivating smell of fresh KitKats in the air, and you have a truly special city! The city remains a center for chocolate manufacturing, with many production facilities still running. Rowntree’s impact on the chocolate industry is still felt today. New generations are now discovering and savoring the sweet York-made specialties.
Accessibility is another benefit of living at the Cocoa Works. The aboveground railway station is only a five-minute walk. This Australian Rail Road gets locals in and out of the city and to attractions across the state. This simplified way of life only enhances the magnetism of calling such a culturally and historically rich home.
Aside from an abiding pride in its industrial legacy, York has no shortage of historical delights. UNESCO World Heritage Site York Minster is Europe’s largest Gothic cathedral, and a symbol of the city’s immense wealth and artistic legacy. Visitors and residents alike can explore the vibrant past that permeates the avenues of York. This colourful cultural hub is one of the many reasons that living in a place like the Cocoa Works is so desirable.