Jacques Torres announced plans to expand his chocolate manufacturing, signing a lease with the New York City Economic Development Corporation for a space at The Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park. Jacques Torres Chocolate will take possession of 39,500 square feet on the 6th floor of building B, allowing the company to merge its two existing factories in DUMBO, Brooklyn, and SoHo (Manhattan) with potential to increase production 4-fold.
“I honor the ‘Made in New York’ reputation my brand has developed over the years, so it was exciting for me to find a space that perfectly outfits our growing needs,” says Torres, who predicts a late summer opening. “Offering the ability to streamline production, create new jobs, operate in a space with such historical significance, and tap into the budding industrial community flourishing at the BAT was an attractive proposal.”
“The announcement by Jacques Torres represents a vote of confidence in the Brooklyn Army Terminal and Brooklyn’s future as a hub for manufacturing,” says New York City Economic Development Corporation executive director Kyle Kimball. “Over the past year and a half, we have seen businesses of all sizes flock to BAT, bringing with them hundreds of good jobs and further establishing Sunset Park as a modern industrial waterfront.”
Plans for an efficient layout with a linear production model will allow the manufacturing at the new facility to commence on one side of the space and finish on the other. Product will start its journey in the “warm room,” outfitted with spinners, a 5-ton melter, and designated space for decorating, creating hollow molds, and making ganache. It will then be transported to the “cold room” for packaging via a custom 70 foot tunnel. Additional features include a pastry room, ice cream room, and a roasting room, which will allow cacao beans to ship through a tube with compressed air from the storage facility. The powder room, complete with pressurized air, will serve as the station to produce Torres’ popular hot chocolate mix.
Promoting a Willy Wonka-esque experience for his retail guests, Jacques has created a popular destination for chocolate lovers from around the world to visit. He intends to continue this tradition at The Brooklyn Army Terminal, designing the space to eventually accommodate public tours.
“This is certainly my biggest project so far,” Torres notes. Though not his last, he promises.
