Whole Foods Market – Grand Openings
DESIGN BRIEF | February 2020
Whole Foods Market – Grand Openings
Whole Foods Market – The Boro in Tyson’s Corner
McLean, VA
Opened October, 2019
The newest flagship store for Whole Foods is part of the ongoing transformation of Tysons, VA, into a pedestrian friendly, livable community. Located within The Boro, along the Silver Line, the design of this 70,000 sq. ft. store reflects Tysons’s past, present, and future as a major commuting hub in Northern Virginia. Bold pops of color and décor design captures the forward-thinking aspects of the surrounding technology and business industries surrounding the store.
Besides the usual amenities that customers expect from Whole Foods, this store also features an inviting food hall providing an opportunity to partner with Friends of Whole Foods, local businesses and entrepreneurs who share their talents and create a unique shopping experience throughout the day. Whether it’s coffee and donuts in the morning, a quick bit for lunch, or dinner and drinks after work, this store provides many venues and seating areas to encourage customers to sit, relax, and unwind.
Another unique aspect of this store design is a High Point Pub and Game Room on the mezzanine level. Perched above the main part of the grocery store, these spaces create an escape from the hustle and bustle of life in Tysons. Wood screen walls divide up the area where the community can meet in the lounge area, play a few games in the arcade, or grab a drink and a snack in the pub featuring self service beer and wine. The clean, open modern design makes the most of the ground floor retail space in this mixed-use development.
Whole Foods Market – West Broad Street
Richmond, VA
Opened January, 2020
The design of this Whole Foods store in downtown Richmond, VA celebrates the history of its home as part of the Sauer Center redevelopment project. Situated in the former Pleasant Hardware site, this store incorporates the original structure of the historic Kaufman Building into the design of the store. The original building façade, recreated historic windows, repurposed bricks, and the exposed wood floor joists allow customers to be surrounded by the home of a former hat factory while they shop through the meat and seafood departments.
The newest portion of the building continues to give a nod to Richmond’s agricultural past with open wood structures throughout the store mixed with modern, fun touches and a warm color palette in a light-filled, open space. This store also features an outdoor terrace overlooking West Broad Street with an operable clear vinyl enclosure perfect for the community to enjoy all year around. Another option for customers is the new self-service pub on the mezzanine featuring local beers, wines, and snacks perfect for people-watching from above the main part of the store.
New Employees
Carole Twitmyer
MV+A Role: Project Manager/Designer currently working on Halley Rise Block C.
From: Originally Redding, CT and recently Brooklyn, NY.
Schooling: Bachelor of Arts in Design | Brown University & UCLA
Master of Architecture with a Certificate in Urban Design | University of Texas at Austin
Joined MV+A: January 2020
Interests: Triathlons, cycling, swimming, cooking, reading, galleries, movies, and drawing & crafting with her nieces.
Lacey Stansell
MV+A Role: Architectural Designer currently focusing on Halley Rise Block C.
From: Conyers, Georgia
Schooling: Bachelor of Architecture | University of Miami
Joined MV+A: December 2019
Interests: Improv and stand-up comedy, photography, traveling, and swimming.
Ravneet Gupta
MV+A Role: Project Architect contributing to projects East Liberty, Hailey Rise Block F, and McMillan.
From: Mississauga, ON, Canada
Schooling: Undergraduate: Sushant School of Art and Architecture, New Delhi, India
Masters in Building Science | Ryerson University, Toronto
Joined MV+A: January 2020
Interests: Pottery, cooking, and exploring different winter activities such as snowmobiling, dog sledding, and snow tubing.