Construction Begins on Huge Brooklyn Chocolate Factory

World-famous confectioner, Jacques Torres has got a golden ticket -- and big expansion plans, including a new, state-of-the-art chocolate factory opening later this year at the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park. The legendary chocolatier compares his 40,000-square-foot space to a modern version of Willy Wonka's famed factory. The Brooklyn plant not only features chocolate manufacturing, but also tourist attractions such as a chocolate powder room, an ice cream room and a five-ton melter, all worthy of his fictional inspiration - no golden ticket required.

Mr. Torres celebrated the start of construction at the enormous, football-field-sized space, after a groundbreaking ceremony early last week.

Once rolling, Mr. Chocolate plans to shift production from his Williamsburg and Hudson Street factories - where he currently does his confectionery magic, and consolidate manufacturing into this one space. 

His popular retail shop at 66 Water Street in Dumbo will also be remodeled and enlarged. 

The legendary chocolatier compares his 40,000-square-foot space to a modern version of Willy Wonka's famed factory. “The Brooklyn operation will be a one-of-a-kind addition to the city,” he states. The plant not only features chocolate manufacturing, but also tourist attractions such as a chocolate powder room, an ice cream room and a five-ton melter, worthy of his fictional inspiration.

The factory will be open to the public and offer tours once it's up and running. Torres has plans to bus visitors in from the company's Manhattan retail outlets in SoHo and Rockefeller Center - no golden ticket required.

"I don't think there's going to be any other place in New York like this chocolate factory," he said. "It's going to be big. It's going to be new. It's going to be very advanced. We're going to do so many new products. And it's in a great location. I mean, Sunset Park is a great place where we're going to have a lot of chocolates."

Visitors will be able to peer into the factory through giant windows to watch the assembly line of chocolate goods pass before their eyes.

The space has a sweet future, but also sterling past.

Designed by famed architect Cass Gilbert and built in 1918, the Brooklyn Army Terminal was originally a military supply facility. Every letter sent to a U.S. serviceman in World War II came through the structure. Elvis Presley passed through here as a member of the armed forces.

The city took over the 97-acre complex in 1981. Today, it houses light manufacturing such as furniture makers, art collectives, and internet companies.  

And as in DUMBO, where Torres moved in 2000, the factory will likely be part of the transformation of an entire neighborhood.

Brooklyn is already the most important chocolate manufacturing region west of Belgium. Li-Lac Chocolates, Tumbador Chocolate, and Mast Brothers, all international-known brands, have manufacturing centers in the borough.

"There is tremendous opportunity in Brooklyn for a chocolate company," said Li-Lac owner Anthony Cirone, who moved his factory from the West Village to Sunset Park, not far from the new Torres location.

"The growth of the borough with popular and affordable neighborhoods for kids and families opens up great retail potential." 

No Oompa Loompas are on the payroll yet, but the French-born Torres expects to open his new Sunset Park factory this fall.