
Palos Verdes developers Eric and Alan Johnson are bringing new life to the Port of Los Angeles with the construction of West Harbor, a bold new waterfront destination set to transform and reinvent the historic but faded Ports O’ Call Village site. Through their family company Jerico Development Inc., the brothers, along with siblings Craig and Ann Johnson, have partnered with joint venture developer The Ratkovich Company and private equity investor Osprey Investments to create a space that merges local history with fresh, exciting new experiences.
Think live concerts, chill waterfront park spaces, top-notch dining, amusement attractions, recreational options, and bustling waterside activities where visitors can immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of a working port and the “industrial theater” of its 24/7 maritime commerce. This long-awaited redevelopment aims to reinvigorate the LA Waterfront, honor San Pedro’s maritime roots, and draw tourists and locals alike back to San Pedro’s historic downtown and waterfront attractions.
Among the most thrilling features of this development will be a spectacular Ferris wheel and amusement park with 3 or 4 additional rides and a carousel. Other attractions will include an outdoor concert venue being developed in partnership with Nederlander Concerts LA, pickleball and Padel courts alongside world-class restaurants and floating attractions that redefine a unique waterfront entertainment experience.
At the heart of the project are Eric and Alan Johnson, longtime residents of Palos Verdes, whose deep ties to both the community and the Port have influenced the development’s vision.
“I’ve lived on the Palos Verdes Peninsula most of my life and remember fondly the construction and opening of the original Ports O’ Call in the 1960s, when Alan and I were in grade school. After being selected by the City of Los Angeles to redevelop this once iconic site, we knew intuitively from firsthand experience just what a unique, authentic and fun place the West Harbor site could be. We wanted to create a new unique, forward-looking, and vibrant waterfront attraction that would recapture that pride of place we felt as kids by having Ports O’ Call in our backyard,” Eric recalls.
The Johnson family traces their South Bay roots back to the 1920s. Eric and Alan, who have called the Palos Verdes Peninsula home for decades, have a strong connection to the San Pedro Bay port complex that goes beyond development; their family’s history is rooted in the industrial sectors of the region. Their family business began in 1921 in Long Beach, starting in cranes and trucks supporting the oil and gas industry, and moving into oil exploration and production in California and other western states. Over the years, the Johnsons have transitioned from industrial activities in energy to real estate development, always with a focus on the communities where they live, work and build.