Chocolate Factory Renovation 2-3 Months Away

MANSFIELD, MA — The transformation of the Chocolate Factory into apartments and commercial space could begin this spring, the developers told the selectmen last week.

Work on the project is scheduled to start construction within the next 2-3 months. While it's known that there will be 130 loft apartments, what will fill the commercial space remains unknown.

"Since we have 18 months of construction, it’s a little premature to start shopping to prospective tenants but we do have some ideas, which would be a restaurant. We would look at a possibility of a liquor license," developer Russell Barnaby told the board.

The renovation project was approved by the planning board last year.

Michael Spade, a new investor in the project, was also at the meeting and was introduced as a new stakeholder. His investor-group will hold a 35 percent stake in the project while the original developers will keep 65 percent. The new entity will go by the name MCFA Chocolate Factory LP.

The Chocolate Factory is located on Oakland Street and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, meaning that the exterior of the building must be preserved during the renovation.

Image: File photo