Walking into the Wilbur Lititz feels like coming home. Guests of the 100-year-old chocolate factory are greeted with the rich aroma of baking chocolate and the sounds of a crackling fire. Hilton Tapestry Collection and the developer strove with the adaptive hotel design to not only accentuate unique existing elements—exposed brick, timber beams, arched windows, and large-scale metal machinery—but to also provide guests with a curated, upscale experience. The result weaves together the rich Moravian heritage and vibrancy of “America’s Coolest Small Town” with the building’s delightful legacy as the Wilbur Chocolate factory. The design team worked with local craftsperson and sustainable materials to integrate the building’s Machine-Age history in thoughtful millwork details. Taking inspiration from “The Wilbur Chocolate” logo on the exterior, a bespoke blue floral pattern is painted on the exposed brick at reception. This Moravian stenciling then repeats in different scale and material. The large reception desk features star-patterned bronze tiles evocative of a traditional chocolate bar, while vintage chocolate advertisements and candy-making artifacts tell a delicious story.
