Located in Sacramento for nearly a century, General Produce has evolved and grown as much as the produce industry itself has, necessitating a larger and more modern space to call home. RMW designed a 103,085 square-foot building in Metro Air Park to accommodate the corporate offices and cold-storage warehouse facilities for the family-owned company, which now employs over 200 people.

The new headquarters, a building of tilt-up concrete construction that boasts 40’ ceilings, can accommodate four times the storage of the previous facility. The entire warehouse environment is refrigerated, including a dedicated space for organic foods, state-of-the-art ripening rooms, a 340-pallet freezer, and 26 temperature-controlled dock doors to allow for cold-chain optimization.

The 17,064 square-foot office space captures the client’s vision to deliver a contemporary workplace with modern comforts while paying homage to the company’s rich history in the produce industry. Historical elements, most notably a 1930’s era delivery truck, as well as vintage farm equipment and family memorabilia, are incorporated thoughtfully into the space. Wood wall accents and colored concrete floors call to mind the company’s agricultural roots, while modern furnishings warmly accented with green, brown, and orange tones affirm the present-day success of this third-generation, family-run business. Connecting the corporate offices to the warehouse is the café, a communal place of respite for the entire workforce that includes an island cooktop for holding demonstrations and hosting company events.