The project, called The Torrey, is being developed by Holland Partner Group at the intersection of Front and A streets. Rising 34 stories with 450 apartment units, the mixed-use tower will include more than 40,000 square feet of retail space, anchored by a nearly 50,000-square-foot Whole Foods Market on its base levels. The building is expected to be completed by mid-2026, and developers say the new grocery store will significantly boost downtown’s walkability and serve as a much-needed amenity for the Columbia District and Little Italy neighborhoods.
This isn’t the first time a downtown Whole Foods has been in the works. Back in 2016, the grocer was signed on to anchor the ambitious 7th & Market development, which also promised San Diego’s first Ritz Carlton Hotel. Both Whole Foods and Ritz Carlton ultimately backed out before the project fell apart, leaving the site as a parking lot to this day. That false start makes the Little Italy project all the more notable, as Whole Foods looks poised to finally make good on its downtown debut nearly a decade later.
This will mark the first Whole Foods within downtown proper, where grocery options are currently limited to Ralphs in the Gaslamp District, a Grocery Outlet in East Village and an Albertsons on 14th Street, with Sprouts Farmers Market also once planning to open at the now-stalled Campus at Horton development. The arrival of Whole Foods will be a major step toward transforming the area into a fully functioning residential neighborhood, with high-end groceries joining the mix of restaurants, cafes, and boutiques.
Founded in Austin, Texas in 1980, Whole Foods Market grew from a single natural foods store into one of the most recognizable grocery brands in the world, celebrated for its commitment to organic produce, sustainable sourcing, and specialty selections. In 2017, the company was acquired by Amazon, further cementing its reach in the competitive grocery landscape. The chain now has more than 500 stores across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
San Diego County currently boasts multiple Whole Foods locations, including in Hillcrest, La Jolla, Del Mar, Encinitas, and Vista. Each outpost has built a strong following of health-conscious shoppers drawn to the brand’s prepared foods, specialty products, and expansive wine and beer selections. The addition of a downtown location reflects the area’s rapid residential growth and will bring new convenience to thousands of urban dwellers who previously had to travel outside of downtown for high-end grocery shopping.
With its blend of upscale residences above and retail space below, The Torrey is designed to be a “city within a city,” offering luxury amenities, modern design, and pet-friendly policies. The inclusion of Whole Foods at the base signals not only a major win for residents of the building but also for the surrounding community. Once open, shoppers can expect all the signature offerings the chain is known for—fresh organic produce, a variety of dietary-specific options, and a robust prepared foods section—without ever leaving the heart of the city.
Downtown’s culinary and retail landscape is rapidly evolving, and Whole Foods Market’s arrival cements the neighborhood’s transition into a thriving, self-contained urban hub. By 2026, Little Italy and its surrounding districts will have yet another destination that blends convenience with quality, raising the bar for city living in San Diego.
This will mark the first Whole Foods within downtown proper, where grocery options are currently limited to Ralphs in the Gaslamp District, a Grocery Outlet in East Village and an Albertsons on 14th Street, with Sprouts Farmers Market also once planning to open at the now-stalled Campus at Horton development. The arrival of Whole Foods will be a major step toward transforming the area into a fully functioning residential neighborhood, with high-end groceries joining the mix of restaurants, cafes, and boutiques.
Founded in Austin, Texas in 1980, Whole Foods Market grew from a single natural foods store into one of the most recognizable grocery brands in the world, celebrated for its commitment to organic produce, sustainable sourcing, and specialty selections. In 2017, the company was acquired by Amazon, further cementing its reach in the competitive grocery landscape. The chain now has more than 500 stores across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
San Diego County currently boasts multiple Whole Foods locations, including in Hillcrest, La Jolla, Del Mar, Encinitas, and Vista. Each outpost has built a strong following of health-conscious shoppers drawn to the brand’s prepared foods, specialty products, and expansive wine and beer selections. The addition of a downtown location reflects the area’s rapid residential growth and will bring new convenience to thousands of urban dwellers who previously had to travel outside of downtown for high-end grocery shopping.
With its blend of upscale residences above and retail space below, The Torrey is designed to be a “city within a city,” offering luxury amenities, modern design, and pet-friendly policies. The inclusion of Whole Foods at the base signals not only a major win for residents of the building but also for the surrounding community. Once open, shoppers can expect all the signature offerings the chain is known for—fresh organic produce, a variety of dietary-specific options, and a robust prepared foods section—without ever leaving the heart of the city.
Downtown’s culinary and retail landscape is rapidly evolving, and Whole Foods Market’s arrival cements the neighborhood’s transition into a thriving, self-contained urban hub. By 2026, Little Italy and its surrounding districts will have yet another destination that blends convenience with quality, raising the bar for city living in San Diego.
Originally published on September 17, 2025.
