The Sobrato Organization Unveils The Cannery, a Landmark Adaptive Reuse Project in Palo Alto
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The Sobrato Organization Unveils The Cannery, a Landmark Adaptive Reuse Project in Palo Alto
Reimagined site delivers a new LEED Platinum–certified office campus that honors the legacy of Chinese immigrant and entrepreneur Thomas Foon Chew
PALO ALTO, Calif., May 12, 2026 — Today, The Sobrato Organization (TSO) celebrated the completion of The Cannery—a transformative adaptive reuse project at 340 Portage Avenue in Palo Alto. Once known as the Bayside Cannery Company—established nearly a century ago by Chinese immigrant and entrepreneur Thomas Foon Chew—the site is now home to a 74k-square-foot Class A office building that features a commissioned mosaic honoring Chew.
The Cannery reflects TSO’s commitment to sustainable, intentional, and community-centered development. Blending historic preservation with modern performance, the project is on track to achieve LEED Platinum certification and features an all-electric design with Net Zero Energy and Net Zero Carbon operations.
"The Cannery is a truly unique integration of history, community, and performance. Delivering the most sustainable building in our history," said Rob Tersini, Senior Vice President of Real Estate and Development at The Sobrato Organization. "This project has become a proof of concept – and a north star for what sustainability can look like moving forward.”
TSO worked closely with Thomas Foon Chew’s descendants to commission a large-scale mosaic mural on the retail frontage of the building — a stunning, thousands-of-tile artwork featuring tiles sourced from Mexico, paying tribute to the cannery's history and the inclusive spirit of its founder. Interpretive displays on the interior and exterior of the building further preserve and celebrate this pivotal chapter of local history.
“On behalf of the City of Palo Alto, we deeply appreciate Sobrato’s longstanding commitment to Palo Alto and pioneering leadership advancing economic development and vitality, historic preservation of the Cannery, and sustainability. This project features an all-electric design with net zero energy and net zero carbon operations,” said Vicki Veenker, Palo Alto mayor. “The City partnered with Sobrato to secure 3.25 acres of land for a new park, re-naturalized creek, future housing and affordable housing. We look forward to future celebrations as these critical community benefits are added to the Ventura Neighborhood.”
In 1918, Chew purchased the original four-acre parcel at this site, and within just two years, the Bayside Canning Company had grown to become the third-largest cannery of fruits and vegetables in the country. Chew earned the moniker "Asparagus King" for his company's pioneering work in the commercial canning of green asparagus.
Chew was also a visionary people leader and maintained a culturally diverse workforce, provided housing and food for employees during off-seasons, and organized transportation for workers who lived outside of Palo Alto.
In recognition of the contributions made by Thomas Foon Chew to the history, culture, and innovation of Palo Alto, the City Council adopted a Resolution renaming Portage Avenue to Thomas Foon Chew in conjunction with approval of the Cannery development plan. The City’s renaming of Portage Road to Thomas Foon Chew, honors a pioneer of Palo Alto and his significant role in history supporting Chinese immigrants and the advancement of Palo Alto.
“I wanted to honor everyone who built this place—Thomas Foon Chew, the factory workers, the families—and show how their spirit of invention runs straight through to the Silicon Valley we know today,” said Kyungmi Shin, the mural’s creator.
The event brought together Palo Alto city leadership, members of the Thomas Foon Chew extended family, mural artist Kyungmi Shin, neighborhood community association representatives, and community partners to mark the completion of this landmark development. The ceremony included a dedication of the Thomas Foon Chew mosaic mural, guided site tours, and remarks from TSO leadership, city officials, and the Chew family.
TSO also has plans to bring 74 for-sale townhomes to the site through a future homebuilder partnership and contribute an additional 3.25 acres of land to the city for future affordable housing and a park, further activating the neighborhood for years to come. Through this work, TSO helped expand the site's affordable housing capacity from 15 units to over 100 and contributed $5 million to support an RFP process for future housing and park development.
“The Cannery stands as a model for the future of California real estate,” said Tim Steele, Senior Vice President of Real Estate and Development at The Sobrato Organization, “By demonstrating that historically significant buildings can be transitioned to fully electric, renewable-powered operations, it serves as an example that can help accelerate retrofits across the industry.”
About The Sobrato Organization
The Sobrato Organization (TSO) is a multi-generational, family-owned firm based in Silicon Valley. For nearly 70 years, the Sobrato family has been developing commercial real estate for high-growth companies, building multi-family communities, investing in entrepreneurial enterprises and giving back to communities in the San Francisco Bay Area and around the world. TSO comprises three synergistic enterprise units, Sobrato Real Estate, Sobrato Philanthropies and Sobrato Capital, all serving one common mission: to build a more equitable and sustainable world through business and philanthropic leadership.
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