(Save the date: RealShare Apartments comes to the Westin Bonaventure, Los Angeles, October 24.)

BOSTON-Boston’s been in the news a lot as of late and no, not thanks to baseball - it's all about commercial real estate. The city was recently named the world’s ninth best beer city, according to television personality Zane Lamprey, and Mayor Menino took a firm stance against Chick-Fil-A’s proposed store opening downtown; his letter to the chain has gone viral.  

With more companies leasing up office space and a declining employment rate, Boston is making some impressive news. And now, its trendy South End neighborhood will be demonstrating a commitment to healthy food when the city’s flagship outlet of Whole Foods comes to Ink Block – a mixed-use development in progress on the site of former the Boston Herald offices. For a bit of context, back in February, Boston.com’s Patrick de Rosso reported on the project, discussing National Development’s proposal for the site which included knocking down parts of the Herald offices and replacing them with retail and multifamily space.

Now, the development firm has announced that the retail portion will include a 50,000 square foot Whole Foods store which will be the largest in the city of Boston. It will be located in the mixed-use development on the ground floor below 471 luxury apartments, amidst restaurants and other, as-yet-unnamed retail outlets. The store is expected to be completed in 2014.

“The idea is for our ground floor to be really active, have lights on, people in the streets 18 hours a day,” National Development’s managing partner Ted Tye told GlobeSt.com. “It will make this area really grow.”

If there’s one thing lacking in the South End it’s a quality grocery store – especially in the current no-man’s land of the former Herald offices. Close to the transport hub of South Station and the vibrant eateries and nightlife found deeper into the neighborhood, the Whole Foods store is “absolutely huge for the area,” Tye says.

“We think that Ink Block itself is a game changer in terms of the redevelopment of that section of the South End,” he adds. “Having Whole Foods as the lead tenant sets the tone for the whole development.”

Not only is the neighborhood great in which to grab a gourmet bite to eat, it also boasts a strong community. “There’s been such residential growth here, and the one thing we heard from the BRA [Boston Redevelopment Authority] and local residents is that people are really looking for a great quality grocery option in the neighborhood,” Tye explains. “It’s one of the things that knits a neighborhood together.”

Ink Block is located on Harrison Avenue. The Whole Foods store will also feature outdoor seating, a wine store, gelato bar and other prepared food options. It will be the first full-size grocery store in the South End and will complement other aesthetic improvements to the former Herald building including wider sidewalks, landscaping and pedestrian access to the complex.