John A. Sobrato & family

Early Life

John Albert Sobrato was born on May 23, 1939, in San Francisco, California, to Italian immigrants. His father owned a popular San Francisco restaurant, John's Rendezvous. After his father's death, his mother invested in real estate, sparking Sobrato's interest in the field.

Rise to Success

Sobrato began his real estate investing career in 1957 while studying at Santa Clara University. He founded The Sobrato Organization in 1979. Over the years, the company grew to hold over 110 commercial buildings and more than 30 apartment complexes. He partnered with Carl Berg, another successful Silicon Valley investor.

Key Business Strategies

Sobrato's success stems from strategic real estate development in Silicon Valley, building for the tech industry, and a focus on long-term investments. The Sobrato Organization has developed and leased office campuses for major tech companies like Amazon, Netflix, Apple, Google, and others. The firm's real estate group develops, owns, and operates world-class office buildings, apartment homes, and mixed-use projects.

Philanthropy

The Sobrato family has a strong tradition of philanthropy. The Sobrato Philanthropies, including the Sobrato Family Foundation, has donated over $314 million in money and property, and has given $1.3 billion since its inception in 1996. They have signed the Giving Pledge. They focus on education, housing security, economic mobility, and healthcare. Beneficiaries include Santa Clara University and the University of San Francisco.