Sweet treat at The Chocolate Factory for buyers in York

This contemporary detached property is part of The Chocolate Works in York.

David Wilson Homes recently won a national Housebuilder Award for “Best Design” for the development, which is on land surrounding the former Terry’s factory.

The plans were conceived by London-based Richards Partington architects, who sought inspiration from the art deco factory. All the new buildings are the cubes and rectangles favoured by the early Modernist architects of the 1920s and their roofs appear to be flat although, in fact, they have low pitches hidden by parapets. The materials were chosen to mirror the old factory and its clock tower and are a combination of red and white brick.

Some of the aluminium window frames have been coated in a burnished gold.

“It’s a reference to Terry’s All Gold,” says Paul Newman, managing director of the Yorkshire East division of David Wilson Homes. The subtle nod to the famous box of chocolates, which first went on sale in 1932, is all part of a theme. One of the new apartment buildings is named Neapolitan after the miniature chocolate bars. Most impressive of all is a Chocolate Orange sculpture by Malton’s Sherburn Foundry.

“We wanted a centrepiece and we had to make a contribution towards public art. We thought a Chocolate Orange was perfect,” says Paul.

Work on the £100m development, which is next to the racecourse in fashionable Bishopthorpe, started in 2014 and will eventually comprise of 319 flats and houses, a shop and a concierge. Properties are being built and sold in stages and the whole site is expected to be completed by 2020.

The location and the contemporary style of the new homes have attracted buyers from all over Britain and beyond. A number are from London, which is just a two hour train journey from York.

Paul Newman says: “They are seeking to take advantage of the quick commute while also enjoying the benefits of a city centre bolt hole that’s both affordable and an excellent investment opportunity.”

All the apartments at The Chocolate Works are now sold and the two, three and four bedroom homes are selling fast with prices starting at £299,995.

The Terry house has an open-plan living space with large areas of glazing, a utility room and a cloakroom on the ground floor. There are three double bedrooms and a family bathroom on the first floor. The property also comes with a garden.

Part exchange is available on a number of the plots. For more information about The Chocolate Works visit www.dwh.co.uk.