IRVINE, CA—The first Whole Foods Market to reach Irvine is scheduled to open in Spring 2016. The organic and natural grocer has signed a lease with the Irvine Co. for approximately 40,000 square feet of retail space at Los Olivos Marketplace, a planned specialty shopping center just off the 405 freeway at Irvine Center Dr. in Irvine Spectrum.

The store will be Whole Foods Market's second location on the Irvine Ranch—which spans several Orange County cities—joining its Fashion Island store, which opened in 2012. The new location will be Whole Foods' six store in Orange County.

According to Patrick Bradley, president of Whole Foods Market Southern Pacific region, “We have long looked at bringing a Whole Foods market to Irvine and have found a prime location in Los Olivos Marketplace. The Irvine Spectrum is evolving into one of Southern California's most dynamic downtowns, and we are excited to bring Whole Foods Market's offerings to those who live and work there.”

Los Olivos Marketplace is a 120,000-square-foot center that is slated to begin construction this summer and finish in late 2015. In addition to Whole Foods, the center will include casual dining, shops and services. Irvine Co. was unable to reveal the estimated construction costs for the project.

The new center is part of Irvine Spectrum, a 5,000-acre business, residential and shopping village master-planned by the Irvine Co. More than 10,000 people live within three miles of the site, with about 40% of those residents also working in Irvine Spectrum, according to the firm.

“Irvine Co. is proud to bring Whole Foods Market to Irvine,” says Fred Collings, SVP of leasing for Irvine Co. Retail Properties. “The addition of a grocery store—particularly a Whole Foods Market—marks a major evolution in Irvine Spectrum as a place to live, work, shop and play. This store will provide everyday convenience while enhancing the fun and excitement of Irvine Spectrum.”

Irvine marks yet another city that is receiving a Whole Foods. As GlobeSt.com reported earlier this week, the grocer has just broken ground on a 40,000-square-foot anchor for the new Shops on Main center in Schererville, IN, about 25 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. As reported in GlobeSt.com, Regency Centers Corp. launched the 200,000-square-foot development last year and began conducting negotiations to bring in what officials then called an upscale grocery.