Report: Howard Hughes Negotiating with Whole Foods, Again

The former Rouse Company headquarters is back in the news again. And again, it's about Howard Hughes trying to lure Whole Foods into the aging, iconic building.

On Thursday, Howard Hughes senior vice president John DeWolf said before the Columbia Association board of directors that Howard Hughes was negotiating with a number of potential tenants for the Rouse building and mentioned Whole Foods as a possibility.

However, the Howard County Times reported in March that negotiations between Whole Foods and Howard Hughes had stalled. The Howard County Times reported on Tuesday the building would need $25 million in renovations to be ready for a retail tenant.

A Whole Foods spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.

In early March a spokesperson for Whole Foods the company had no firm plans to open a store in Columbia, but that they are always seeking new opportunities. The spokesperson said they plan on opening 28 to 32 new stores in fiscal year 2013.

The spokesperson said announcements of new leases are made during quarterly earnings calls with investors. The next earnings call will likely take place sometime in late July or early August, according to their past history.

The former Rouse Company headquarters was designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry to house Jim Rouse's development company in the early 1970s. Today, it is used by approximately 15 Howard Hughes employees.

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