The Woodlands' first Whole Foods Market will be coming to the 66-acre Hughes Landing development in 2015.
The Woodlands Development Company announced Nov. 7 Whole Foods will open a 400,000-square-foot store in Hughes Landing, according to a press release.
"Local residents have long expressed strong interest in having a Whole Foods Market in The Woodlands," said Paul Layne, executive vice president of master planned communities for the Howard Hughes Corporation. "It will be an exceptional destination within Hughes Landing and across The Woodlands, adding to the many benefits of living, working and playing in this vibrant community."
The organic food retailer was founded in Austin in 1980 and has spread to more than 350 stores and 73,000 employees across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Whole Foods specializes in quality, organic food options, supporting local growers and health education for its consumers.
"The Woodlands is a great fit for us," said Mark Dixon, president of Whole Foods Market's Southwest Region. "We are excited about the Hughes Landing development and its central location that is easily accessible to residents of The Woodlands and surrounding areas."
Surface parking will be available adjacent to the market, while the main entrance to the grocer will be off of Lake Front Circle near the intersection of Lake Front Circle and Lake Woodlands Drive.
The 66-acre mixed-use development Hughes Landing will also feature up to 11 office buildings, 800 multi-family residences, an upscale hotel, a fitness center, retailers and restaurants. Although the development could take five to 10 years to complete, much of the development could be completed by 2015.
One Hughes Landing, the first commercial building, opened in September, while Two Hughes Landing could be completed in spring 2014, about the same time the third office building could break ground. The first two restaurants–Escalante's Fine Tex-Mex and Tequila and Whiskey Cake–were recently announced and could be completed by late 2014, early 2015, while the first apartment complex–One Lake's Edge–could bring 390 multi-family residences to Hughes Landing in early 2015.