A globally unique chocolate experience that will be housed in a building that is inspired by foil has received the green light to go ahead in Tasmania.

The Glenorchy City Council has given development approval to a $150 million Chocolate Experience proposed by developer Simon Currant and Associates.

Set to open in September 2028, the experience will be constructed as a new building that will be located next to the existing Cadbury factory in the north Hobart suburb of Claremont.

Expected to welcome 431,000 visitors each year, the proposal is expected to ‘bring back to life’ a much-loved attraction at the Cadbury site.

Previously, factory tours had been a popular drawcard at the stie.

However, these were stopped in 2008 following changes to health and safety laws.

Meanwhile, the factory’s visitor centre was closed by Cadbury’s parent company, Mondelez International, in 2015.

Essentially speaking, the development intends to provide an immersive experience that uses storytelling to bring the magic of chocolate alive.

As reported on the ABC, the design for the building’s exterior is inspired by chocolate foil wrappers.

Peeling this back reveals a reach, indulgent centre that forms the interior of the chocolate experience and provides a contrast to the outer shell.

The visitor experience is envisaged as a three-hour ticketed journey which blends storytelling, technology and hands-on involvement to create an active and sensory encounter for people of all ages.

Upon entering, visitors will arrive at ‘Chocolate Central’, where the journey will begin and a responsive LED whirlpool of virtual chocolate will draw guests into the experience.

Next will be series of ‘immersive zones’.

These include:

  • The Tropical House, that will evoke a twilight cacao forest with interactive viewfinders and projection columns that bring pollinators and wildlife to life.
  • A laboratory that will invite hands-on exploration of chocolate-making through films, machines, and tactile exhibits. This will culminate in the vibrant Paint Your Flavour room.
  • A playful Factory Control Room, which gamifies production.
  • A Taste Kitchen, which serves as an ‘island of taste and sensation,’
  • A Premium Chocolate Studio, which offers a close view of artisan chocolatiers at work.

After finishing the tour, visitors will be able to extend their journey with ‘premium activation’.

These include workshops to build your own chocolate bar along with 45-minute masterclasses.

All up, the development will inject more than $120 million into the Tasmanian economy each year and will support more than 300 jobs in construction and 200 ongoing roles.

With approval now granted, the developer is now seeking private financing.

The Tasmanian Government has committed up to $12 million in project support. This included an initial $4 million grant to progress the plans to a ‘shovel-ready’ stage.

However, 95 percent of the project costs will be privately funded.

Melbourne-based investment bank Kidder Williams is the sole financial advisor raising capital for the Experience.

Kidder Williams is in the market and engaging with interested parties.

The experience will operate under a brand licence provided by (Cadbury owner) Mondelēz International.

Simon Currant, founder of developer Simon Currant and Associates, said that securing the approval has taken years of working with the local community, Cadbury and the Council.

“This is a huge win for Tasmania and for Claremont,” Currant said.

“It represents a generational boost for the local economy, creating jobs, attracting investment, and helping move Tasmania’s visitor economy to the next level.

Currant says that the attraction will be globally unique.

“From the moment visitors arrive, this will be unlike any chocolate attraction in the world.  It will be an innovative, immersive and deeply emotive experience that uses storytelling and technology to bring the magic of chocolate-making to life. It will be full of surprise, nostalgia, creativity and joy and, of course, there will be plenty of chocolate along the way.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania CEO Amy Hills said that the proposal demonstrates the type of experience, innovation and creativity which is needed for Tasmania to remain competitive as a visitor destination.

“For our industry to go from strength to strength we need to keep innovating and keep investing in attractions.  This is a next-level concept that is going to make Tasmania the must-do destination that it deserves to be,” Hills said.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to tell the Cadbury story properly and authentically, and it will lift the whole industry with it.”

Toby Smith, President of Mondelēz International for Japan, Australia, and New Zealand said that Cadbury is proud to support the experience as brand partner.

The architects for the project are Cumulus Studio Architects and Art Processors experience design.

Enjoying Sourceable articles? Subscribe for Free and receive daily updates of all articles which are published on our site

 

Want to grow your sales, reach more new clients and expand your client base across Australia’s design and construction sector?

Advertise on Sourceable and have your business seen by the thousands of architects, engineers, builders/construction contractors, subcontractors/trade contractors, property developers and building industry suppliers who read our stories across the civil, commercial and residential construction sector