Whole Foods Is Coming to Westcliff Plaza in Newport Beach: What Buyers Should Know

If you've driven along 17th Street near Westcliff Drive and Irvine Avenue lately, you may have heard the news: Whole Foods Market is coming to Westcliff Plaza. For a neighborhood that already ranks among Newport Beach's most desirable residential pockets, this addition is more than a grocery story — it's a signal of where investment and demand are heading next.

As a fifth-generation Newport Beach local, I've watched retail announcements like this move the needle on buyer interest in the surrounding streets. Here's what's confirmed so far, and what it could mean if you're buying, selling, or simply live nearby.

What We Know About the New Whole Foods

Irvine Company Retail Properties announced in May 2026 that Whole Foods Market will be joining the tenant lineup at Westcliff Plaza, the retail and dining center located near the intersection of Westcliff Drive and Irvine Avenue, just off popular 17th Street.

Ken Gillett, President of Irvine Company Retail Properties, framed the addition as part of a broader push to bring "best-in-class, daily needs retail" to the community while reinforcing Westcliff Plaza's role as a neighborhood gathering place.

A specific opening date hasn't been announced yet, so residents should expect more details — including construction timelines — to roll out over the coming months.

Worth noting: this will be Newport Beach's second Whole Foods, joining the well-established location at Fashion Island. It's a separate store from the Whole Foods Market at Costa Mesa Square on 17th Street in Costa Mesa, which has operated for years just west of the Newport Beach border.

Why This Matters for the Westcliff and Eastbluff Market

Westcliff, Eastbluff, and the surrounding streets near 17th Street have long been known for their strong schools, walkable charm, and proximity to Back Bay — but the retail options have stayed relatively modest compared to neighborhoods closer to Fashion Island or Corona del Mar.

A Whole Foods anchor tends to do a few things for a residential corridor:

• Everyday convenience improves. Daily-needs grocery access within walking or short driving distance is consistently one of the top amenities buyers ask about, especially move-up buyers and downsizers who prioritize lifestyle ease.
• Retail centers around it tend to upgrade. New anchor tenants often bring renovated storefronts, updated landscaping, and additional restaurant or boutique tenants to fill out the center.
• Buyer perception shifts. Even before construction is complete, "a new Whole Foods is coming" becomes a talking point that reframes how buyers think about a neighborhood's trajectory.

None of this happens overnight, but in coastal Orange County, well-anchored retail has historically tracked with sustained home value strength in the immediately surrounding streets.

What to Watch Next

If you own property near Westcliff Plaza or are considering a purchase in the area, here's what I'll be tracking and sharing as it develops:

• Confirmed construction and opening timelines
• Additional tenant announcements at Westcliff Plaza
• Any early shifts in list prices or days-on-market for homes within walking distance

FAQ

Where exactly is the new Whole Foods being built? It's coming to Westcliff Plaza in Newport Beach, near the intersection of Westcliff Drive and Irvine Avenue, close to popular 17th Street.

When will the new Whole Foods open? An official opening date hasn't been announced. Irvine Company Retail Properties confirmed the addition in May 2026, but construction and opening timelines have not yet been released.

Is this the same as the Whole Foods at Fashion Island? No. This will be a separate, second Whole Foods Market location in Newport Beach. The Fashion Island store at 415 Newport Center Drive will continue to operate as usual.

Is this the same as the Whole Foods on 17th Street in Costa Mesa? No. That location, at 225 E 17th St in Costa Mesa Square, is a distinct, long-established store just across the Costa Mesa border and is unaffected by this announcement.

Will this affect home values in Westcliff and Eastbluff? It's too early to quantify an impact, but new grocery anchors have historically been associated with increased buyer interest and retail revitalization in the surrounding blocks. I'll be tracking local market data as the project progresses.