Whole Foods Planning New Entrance as Part of Bedford MarketPlace Renovations

The Whole Foods at 170 Great Road in the Bedford MarketPlace has submitted plans for a new front entranceway. The new addition which would stand in front of the existing storefront, has a maximum height of 45 feet and a mean height of 39 feet. The building itself has a height of about 21 feet.

Depiction of proposed entrance way. Please click on the image for a larger view.

The current zoning in Bedford allows for a maximum height of 37 feet. Since the average height of the structure is 39 feet, Whole Foods has applied for a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Side view of the proposed entrance way. Please click on the image for a more detailed view.

Comments:
1. It seems like Whole Foods is interested in getting more visibility from the front of the shopping center. This may be due to the fact that the new one story buildings in front of and to the side of Whole Foods will be at least a few feet taller than the previous buildings. It could also be due to competition with the new Wegmans in Burlington.

Front of the new Wegmans in Burlington

2. With the new building going up next to Marshall's (which along with the Red Tavern Restaurant is expected to have about 12,000 square feet of additional retail space), the facade at Marshall's is looking pretty out of date. It will be interesting to see if this is updated.