A new Whole Foods Market is taking shape in the 2000 block of West Broad Street. It is one of several new grocery stores in planning or under construction in the city, including the Market @ 25th in Church Hill that is expected to open in March.

The 45,000-square-foot Whole Foods store replaces the former flagship building for Pleasants Hardware that was demolished.

First announced nearly five years ago, the Whole Foods store will be the second in the Richmond area and is expected to generate dozens of jobs at the outlet for the retailer best known for its natural, organic, vegetarian and vegan selections. The grounds also are to include space for a farmer’s market just north of the building.

The company has not yet announced an opening date or begun advertising positions on its website.

When complete, the store will be the anchor tenant in the future 40-acre Sauer Center that is to include two, eight- to 10-story apartment buildings that are to rise next to the state Department of Motor Vehicles headquarters. Also two warehouses located north of the store on Hermitage Road are to be converted into offices, along with the renovation of the Putney Building in the 2200 block of West Broad Street.

C.F. Sauer Co., the longtime Richmond spice manufacturer whose headquarters and factory are nearby, is undertaking the development through Sauer Properties.

Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, located just west of Whole Foods on property not owned by Sauer, continues to operate while the Sauer development is built around it.

Sauer has not released any information on the cost of the development.