
Vallarta Supermarkets Offices – Santa Clarita
HGA partnered with Vallarta Supermarkets to design a new headquarters in Santa Clarita, featuring diverse workspaces, cultural elements, and sustainable practices, supporting growth while honoring the brand’s heritage.
HGA partnered with Vallarta Supermarkets in the design of a new headquarters in Santa Clarita, California. This milestone project embodies Vallarta’s dedication to innovation, collaboration, and community engagement. Designed to support diverse work modes and employee well-being, the facility features a home kitchen-inspired breakroom, a test kitchen, and spaces that celebrate Vallarta’s Latin roots and close-knit culture.
Founded in 1985 in Van Nuys, California, as a family butcher shop, Vallarta Supermarkets has grown into one of the largest Latino-owned supermarket chains in California. The increasing demands of a modern workplace spurred the move from its original headquarters in Sylmar to this larger, future-facing space. HGA, working closely with Vallarta’s leadership, created a design that inspires employees, celebrates cultural heritage, and fosters pride in the brand.
The three-story headquarters balances function and community. It includes 78 offices, 166 workstations, eight conference rooms, six focus booths, and collaboration spaces designed to support varying work styles. A double-height lobby serves as an inviting entry point, featuring abstract shapes inspired by the Vallarta logo and a ceiling art installation of seabirds, evoking a playful yet sophisticated beach resort ambiance.
Key features highlight the company’s values and forward-thinking vision. A 1,500-square-foot home kitchen-inspired breakroom fosters camaraderie and celebration, while a 965-square-foot test kitchen supports product development and recipe creation. Additional amenities include a mother’s room, an executive suite with a meeting room and lounge space to host special events, and a security operations center. The facility also prioritizes sustainability, with recycled materials used in carpets and acoustic ceiling baffles, as well as water conservation systems exceeding EPA standards.
Food-centric spaces are integral to the design. The first floor features a main breakroom connected to the test kitchen via a chef’s counter, with an adjacent outdoor amenity space for added capacity. The second and third floors house coffee lounges for casual interactions, while the third floor includes a club lounge for tequila tastings and executive events. Rounded edges, arches, and folk-inspired details throughout the building pay homage to Latin American heritage, creating a sense of familial warmth and community.
HGA maintained Vallarta’s budget by prioritizing high-impact areas like the lobby and food-focused gathering spaces. The headquarters is a vibrant, adaptable environment that supports Vallarta’s growth while honoring its cultural identity and commitment to meaningful connection.
Design: HGA
Furniture: Unisource Solutions
Landscape Architecture and Design: Agency Artifact
Engineering: Simon S. Wong & Associates
Test Kitchen Design: Ricca Design Studios
Contractor: Graves Construction
Photography: Eric Staudenmaier