From a Whole Foods Market press release:
Whole Foods Market announced Wednesday that it has signed a lease for a new store in the Gilman District project at 10th and Gilman Streets in Berkeley. The store will be an estimated 30,500 square feet, with a projected opening date of late 2014.
Construction of the Whole Foods Market store will begin late this year once Office Depot, current occupant of the location, relocates across the street.
The developer of the Gilman District project is Foothill Pratt Ventures of El Dorado Hills, California. Avila Design of Berkeley is the lead architect. Interior store design will be led by the Whole Foods Market Northern California construction and design team led by Adam Smith, executive coordinator of design and construction. The new store will be constructed within the existing building and parking at the site will be increased by reconstruction of an adjacent structure.
Construction of the new Office Depot store, within other existing buildings, at the property is already under way.
“Whole Foods Market is excited to open this much-awaited second store in Berkeley," said Rob Twyman,president, Whole Foods Market Northern California and Reno Region. “We look forward to being able to serve more of Berkeley and to working with its residents and city leadership to build a great store that supports the community in a variety of aspects – be it education on healthy eating or donating to local non-profits. Additionally, we’re pleased to announce that we will be bringing approximately 200 new jobs to Berkeley.”
“I’m delighted with the commitment from Whole Foods Market to our vision for the property, restoring to the neighborhood to a vibrant retail shopping district,” said Douglas Wiele, managing partner of Foothill Pratt. “I’d especially like to acknowledge the assistance of the City of Berkeley in getting us through the planning process and under construction. This has been a great team effort.”
Wiele added, “I’m also pleased that Foothill and Whole Foods Market were able to reflect community sustainability values by reusing existing structures and improvements in putting the Gilman District project together, rather than engaging in the construction of new buildings at the site.”
“We are thrilled that Whole Foods Market will be opening a second location in Berkeley,” said Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates. “We are thankful to Whole Foods Market for its investment in our community and for providing new jobs for our residents.”
A groundbreaking ceremony for the Gilman District Whole Foods Market store will be planned for this summer. Ceremony and other store details and employment opportunities will be released as they become available.
Will you welcome the addition of a Whole Foods Market in West Berkeley? Tell us in the comments section beow.
