Good news on the Whole Foods front: The grocer just released three watercolor renderings (click here to see them) showing what the rehabbed Minyard’s store will look like when it opens in January 2009, according to WF spokesman Scott Simon. Interior demolition is scheduled to begin shortly after Memorial Day weekend later this month, he says, so we’ll be seeing construction work there for most of the rest of year.
Even though it’s possible that some "extremely minor adjustments may be made, these images are final," Simon says. "Keep in mind they are hand watercolor renderings, so the colors show as a bit washed-out."
Other news about the project: WF is "punching holes" in the existing exterior walls to bring in more natural light, along with adding "dozens" of skylights, all of which should brighten up the existing light-less hulk of a building quite a bit. Also, just to the left of the main entranceway (if you look very, very closely), you can see a water feature designed to enhance the store’s walk-up appeal, Simon says.
The store will be "amazing" inside, but Simon says he can’t share any specifics at this point "for competitive reasons." He did say the goal is to make the project a "LEED-certified remodel, and we’re exploring all kinds of environmentally sensitive solutions for the interior remodel. We’re also renovating the existing landscaping to enhance the neighborhood, among other nice surprises," he says.
All things considered (meaning that, as we all know, existing ownership and zoning issues presented a challenge to making any more significant changes), Whole Foods appears to be doing a great job of rehabbing the existing facility (pleasing environmentally active residents) while creating a space that sounds much more inviting than the dark Minyard’s space ever was. Not to open an old wound again — I was fortunate enough to take a gander at the original plans for the site months ago during WF’s original neighborhood meeting show-and-tell — this more-subdued plan serves as a reminder of what could have been. But I’m still excited about the project: This set of elevations shows a commitment to building a good-looking store that will be a welcome addition to upgrading the Lakewood Shopping Center neighborhood, and the inside sounds like a significant grocery-shopping upgrade for Whole Foods customers.
