The former location of the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory, Ghirardelli Square is now a popular tourist destination for visitors to San Francisco, complete with restaurants, shops, and demonstrations of old-fashioned chocolate-making techniques. 

Lightswitch was responsible for designing lighting for two historic interior spaces in Ghirardelli Square, the first of which contains a pick n mix shop and eatery.

For the retail section of the shop, Lightswitch worked in-depth to coordinate all the details of product lighting, with the goal of displaying each and every colorful item in its best light.

Our aim was to make the colorful, jewel-like chocolate squares sparkle. We achieved this through comprehensive color temperature tests, eventually landing on the perfect balance of brightness and warmth.

In the restaurant area, retro charm is combined with modern brand influences. The space is dominated by a food service counter reminiscent of an old-fashioned soda shop.

Customers can purchase a sundae topped with Ghirardelli chocolate at the counter, then enjoy their treat overlooking the gorgeous San Francisco Bay and its historic Alcatraz Island.

Lightswitch also designed lighting for this area containing the original G from the Ghirardelli sign, as well as multiple pieces of historic chocolate-making equipment.

Though chocolate-making technology has advanced past these historic melangers, this one is still fully operational. We created a welcoming corner for this contraption and its fellow relics from the original chocolate factory.

Last but not least, our team lit this chocolate waterfall, which remains one of the largest in North America – and also happens to lend a mouthwatering aroma to the entire space.