The Canyon is situated directly across from the Giants’ Oracle Park and is one of four buildings in the initial phase of the new Mission Rock community project. This development is a collaboration between the San Francisco Giants, Tishman Speyer, and the Port of San Francisco. Spanning 11 hectares, these buildings were collectively designed by four internationally acclaimed firms: Studio Gang, Henning Larsen, WORKac, and MVRDV, resulting in a cohesive and distinctive architectural expression.
Positioned at the community’s northwest corner, The Canyon is the first building visitors encounter when crossing the left-hand Odeur Bridge. The structure features a five-story podium topped by a 73-meter (240-foot) tower located at the western edge of the site. Adjacent is China Basin Park, a waterfront park that serves as the community’s cultural hub. The design enhances public access to the waterfront and connects seamlessly with the over 350-mile San Francisco Bay Trail.
As with all buildings in the master plan, The Canyon’s ground floor includes small retail shops and restaurants, fostering a vibrant community atmosphere within the neighborhood.
The Canyon consists of a two-story office podium, with 283 apartments occupying the floors above. Over one-third of these units are designated for middle-income residents and offered at below-market rates, addressing San Francisco’s housing affordability challenges. In total, 102 apartments will be allocated to various families through a lottery system, supporting equitable housing access.
The building’s reddish-brown exterior features a rough texture, making The Canyon instantly recognizable. The design draws inspiration from California’s natural rock formations and incorporates a landscaped public space named “The Canyon.” This diagonal cut runs through the base of the building and connects shared amenities for office tenants and residents alike.
The Canyon offers a lush, vibrant environment for leisure and work, while also serving as a convenient shortcut from China Basin Park to the community center. The east-facing walls of The Canyon and the tower feature uneven surfaces, steps, and overhangs, evoking the feeling of steep rock faces. This design approach also allows for window sills and balconies on 40 apartments, providing panoramic views of San Francisco Bay.
Additionally, the podium’s roof is planted with native greenery, creating a communal outdoor space for residents to relax, exercise, and socialize.
One advantage of coordinating the overall planning and design is that the four buildings share key energy and water infrastructure. For example, WORKac designed a water recycling facility that treats black water from the entire block for reuse.
Within The Canyon, essential mechanical components for an efficient district heating system are discreetly housed on the ground floor and in the basement. Given its proximity to San Francisco Bay, the building utilizes a water exchange system that leverages bay water for heating and cooling Mission Rock. This approach significantly reduces carbon emissions while lowering water, sewage, and energy consumption.
To further enhance sustainability, The Canyon’s building level has been elevated by over 5 feet to address anticipated sea level rise. The exterior panels are constructed from lightweight glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC), providing durability comparable to precast concrete.
The site is conveniently accessible, with Caltrain and Muni subway stations, ferry terminals, regional buses, and BART all within walking or cycling distance. These integrated systems and sustainable interventions enable the community to significantly reduce its carbon footprint, positioning Mission Rock as a model for future developments.
Project Information
Architect: MVRDV
Area: 34,900 m²
Year: 2023
Photographer: Jason O’Rear
Managing Partner of Genesis: Nathalie de Vries
Partner: Frans de Witte
Design Team: Fedor Bron, Mick van Gemert, Fouad Addou, Matteo Gramellini, Teodora Cirjan, Andrea Manente, Claudia Consonni, Aneta Rymsza, Marina Kounavi, Sandra Jasionyte, Ievgenia Koval, Nicolas Garin Odriozola, Paul van Herk, Kamila Korona
Copyright: MVRDV Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, Nathalie de Vries
Executive Architect: Perry Architects
Landscape Architect: GLS Landscape/Architecture
Structural Engineer: Magnusson Klemensic Associates
MEP Engineers: PAE Engineers
Main Contractor: Swinerton Builders
Location: San Francisco, United States
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