The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company’s (San Leandro, CA) flagship in San Francisco has been reimagined thanks to Eight Inc., the Bay Area firm that conceived the original design of Apple’s retail stores.
Housed in the Woolen Mill building that was constructed in 1864, the store merges the distinctive red brick exterior and timber beams with a fully renovated interior. The building’s historic features are fused with modern design elements, which include a custom inlay of the Ghirardelli golden eagle. Other hallmarks of the 5,985-square-foot space include hand-painted murals, Ghirardelli vintage advertising dating to the company’s beginnings, and accents throughout in the brand’s signature blue hue.
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The store is an open-kitchen concept, allowing customers to watch the shop’s chocolatiers make hot fudge. The space also integrates digital elements such as iPads for guests to customize chocolate square tins.
“In collaboration with the Ghirardelli team, we aimed to blend historic elements of the iconic space with new and engaging components of the Ghirardelli retail environment,” said Edmond Kuan, Managing Principal of Eight Inc. “The space captivates visitors with incredible views, interactive features and a bit of nostalgia.”