Some readers may remember a long-time Port of Los Angeles waterfront fixture, the Ports O’Call Village (Village). Opening in 1963, the attraction brought locals and tourists alike to stroll along the cobblestone pathways among the various specialty curio shops, restaurants, passed the booth offering harbor cruises, and the views of the ships and other vessels navigating the Port’s main channel, all the while leaving visitors to wonder about visiting far-off destinations.

Created by restaurateur David Tallichet Jr., the Ports O’Call restaurant opened in 1962 after he negotiated a 50-year lease with the Los Angeles Harbor Commission for a strip of land they hoped he could revitalize the atmosphere of the old fishing piers. At the time, Tallichet was the general manager of the Hotel Lafayette in the city of Long Beach, home of comfort and refinement, which was bought by the Hilton Hotels Corporation in 1952. Tallichet borrowed his ideas for the exterior and décor of the restaurant from Steve Crane’s Kon-Tiki restaurant chain located in Hilton Hotels across the nation. His Ports O’Call restaurants featured a partially sunken Chinese junk, and dining rooms that took their inspiration from Waikiki Beach, Tahiti, the Hong Kong Yacht Club, and a Japanese “Tea Room.’’

*Tallichet, President of Specialty Restaurants Corp., along with architect, Vernon Lackman, designed and developed Ports O’Call.*

The restaurant proved to be such a success that he added an 18th century New England Colonial-style building and named it the Yankee Whaler Inn on the same strip of land, but further down from the Ports O’Call restaurant.

The Whaler’s Wharf and its 18th-century waterfront motif served as the inspiration for the Village. Everything from the cobblestone pathways to the design of each of the shops was constructed to create the illusion of a New England whaling village. Tallichet’s vision came to life in 1963 and was a huge success. The shops offered unique items and goods from across the world. This, along with the visual uniqueness of the Village, seemed Disney-like and provided as much visual excitement as entertainment. The Village continued to attract thousands of visitors on a regular basis. At its peak, nearly a million people visited the Village in a single year.

In 1974, Tallichet added a Skytower to the property. However, due to mechanical issues the tower was never a financial success, but merchants wanted Tallichet to keep the tower as a landmark.

The Village caught the eye of many architects and served as inspiration for similar projects across the nation and foreign countries. Such projects were reproduced locally in Long Beach and San Diego, but soon Disney properties in Orlando and Paris incorporated the theme on their resort properties.

The Village proved to be a popular stop for visitors and locals who were looking for a places to dine after visiting Marineland, an aquatic park located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Some of the blame for the decline in the Village’s foot traffic was the closure of Marineland in 1987.

Another part of the Village’s decline is blamed on the opening of shopping malls throughout Southern California. As the malls increased in popularity, shoppers were less attracted to the Village and many of the original shop owners retired and closed their shops. The new shop owners found it difficult to attract the clientele they needed to sustain a successful operation.

*David Tallichet, Jr.*
*Photo courtesy of Specialty Restaurants*

When Tallichet died in 2007, the visionary businessman’s imagination could not be duplicated and eventually the Village closed its doors.

With the expiration of the 50-year lease for the property, the Harbor Commission needed to find another visionary to transform the now-vacant strip of waterfront. The structures suffered from neglect and degradation from their exposure to the marine environment, leaving demolition as the only viable option. Additionally, the soil sitting beneath and surrounding the structures needed extensive remediation.

In 2016, the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners awarded a new 50-year lease, including the parcel that once was occupied by the Village, to a joint venture between Jerico Development and The Ratkovich Company tentatively dubbed as the “San Pedro Public Market,” a collaborative public-private partnership project with the City and Port of Los Angeles that would be incorporated into the Port of Los Angeles Master Plan.

In 2020, the lease was extended to 66 years and the site expanded to 42 acres, including the parcel that once was occupied by the Village. Around that same time, Jerico Development and the Ratkovich Company announced that the project would be rebranded and named “West Harbor,” and the design would feature a family-friendly complex with 300,000 square feet of retail space, restaurants, recreational and waterfront activities, and entertainment, including an amphitheater at the southern end of the property.

The project was delayed due to the COVID shutdown, but leasing continued with tenants attracted to the project’s copious outdoor dining space. Once the restrictions were lifted, the work quickly began to finalize the design and secure construction permits from the City of Los Angeles.

According to the West Harbor project architects Studio One Eleven, unlike Ports O’Call’s fanciful design, West Harbor utilizes its Port adjacent setting as inspiration to enhance each visitor’s experience. The one-mile-long newly installed promenade provides visitors an opportunity to stroll along the waterfront or stop to enjoy extended views of the Port on the waterfront and dockside activities throughout the day and evening.

West Harbor’s structural design reflects the industrial atmosphere found throughout the Port area. West Harbor’s architectural plans feature a series of warehouse-like structures to house a variety of eating establishments and other retail outlets. Their size and exterior mimic the other Port buildings surrounding the development. Inside their spacious interiors continue with that unfinished industrial feel, with exposed beams and industrial finishes incorporating mezzanines and outside viewing decks. This industrial canvas allows for the storefront openings and other finishes of each retail outlet, which adds to the unique atmosphere of each building.

West Harbor will open its doors in phases and welcome visitors to its waterfront in 2025 with The Promenade and buildings housing a variety of entertainment and dining options. Yamashiro, Mike Hess Brewing, King & Queen Cantina, Hopscotch, and a 9,000-sq.-ft. food collective are among the food outlets that will open eateries at West Harbor. With so many options available, visitors will be able to find everything from a light snack and cold beverages to a full-service dining experience.

Construction is commencing at Mike Hess Brewing’s 20,000-sq.-ft. beer garden. Visitors can choose whether to enjoy the brewery’s freshly crafted pints in the spacious confines inside the brewery or on the waterfront view deck.

Yamashiro, a 100-year-old, renowned L.A. Asian fusion restaurant is extending its operations from Hollywood to West Harbor. Not only will the restaurant provide a unique culinary experience, but it is sure to delight each visitor’s visual experience with a koi pond, skylights, and a unique entry experience with sparkling views of the Port.

Originally, plans called for the installation of an amphitheater capable of seating 500 guests. However, after partnering with entertainment promoters Nederlander Concerts, they are seeking approval to expand the outdoor venue’s capacity to 6,200 seats in order to attract the quality entertainers and productions that Nederlander can bring to the venue.

*Artist concept of the outdoor amphitheater*
*Courtesy of West Harbor*

A longtime waterfront favorite, San Pedro Fish Market (Market), will have a new home in the West Harbor complex and is working on its plans to build out a brand-new building on a 55,000 sq. ft. site in late 2026. In the meantime, The Market is currently open and operating in a temporary location, offering its trademark seafood market experience, including live lobsters and crabs. The al fresco Market overlooks the waterfront at Berth 84, located adjacent to the Los Angeles Maritime Museum at the foot of downtown San Pedro Waterfront Arts District

Berth 84 also includes the “Pop-Up Park,” a 14,000-sq.-ft. waterfront park designed for outdoor events and features selected pop-up eating and drinking purveyors along with other experiences. According to West Harbor spokespeople, “This innovative setting will be a place for entrepreneurs to experiment and for visitors to enjoy fresh experiences.”

Operators in Berth 84 on the West Harbor Promenade include Harbor Breezes Cruises; Wheel Fun Rentals—featuring surrey, bicycle and electric bicycle rentals; and eateries including Catalina Tea Bar and Miller Butler woodfired pizza.

Along the promenade, visitors will find the four-acre North Park area and recreation space, with a variety of attractions, including The West Harbor Wheel, which is certain to become the iconic landmark for the complex. Rising 100 ft. to 175 ft., the observation Wheel will provide visitors with a bird’s eye view from its enclosed gondolas of the Port of Los Angeles, the USS Iowa, and the sights beyond. Also incorporated in the design, a waterfront amusement park with rides and attractions for youngsters and the young at heart.

*West Harbor Wheel*
*Photo courtesy of SkyView Partners*

In addition to retail spaces, food establishments, and an amusement park, the North Park area of the West Harbor complex will offer padel and pickleball courts operated by the King of Padel. King of Padel plans to offer guests opportunities to enjoy day and evening play. Courts will be available for open play, tournament play, club play, league play, glow-in-the-dark events and social mixers.

Visitors can extend their visit to West Harbor by visiting the USS Iowa anchored a short distance from West Harbor. West Harbor is convenient to the L.A. World Cruise Center and visitors departing on and returning from their cruises, passengers will have the opportunity to explore the complex prior to or following their cruises.

With the revitalization of the waterfront, there is little doubt that the LA Waterfront and San Pedro will experience a boost in tourism and to the local economy. With the number of new businesses occupying West Harbor, there is sure to be new employment opportunities, which would allow San Pedro and Peninsula residents an opportunity to work close to home and contribute to growing the local economy.

While giving a gentle nod to the waterfront’s historic past and highlighting its current status in the world’s economy, West Harbor is sure to offer new experiences to locals and visitors as well as opportunities to expand the economic future of San Pedro and surrounding areas.

*Harbor Park*
*Photo courtesy of SkyView Partners*

More on David Tallichet

Prior to his experiences in the hospitality industry, Tallichet was a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps and flew his B-17 Flying Fortress bomber on 20 missions during WWII. After the war, Tallichet began a career in the hospitality industry making his way to Long Beach, California where he found himself as a manager at the Hotel Lafayette, owned by the Hilton Hotel Corporation. It was at that point when he was inspired to explore an opportunity as restaurant entrepreneur.

*Tallichet West Harbor*
*Photo courtesy of Specialty Restaurants*

Tallichet sought out a group of investors, including George Millay, later the creator of Sea World, and formed their company, Specialty Restaurants Corp. (SRC). In 1958, their first eatery, The Reef, opened in Long Beach. His second venture into the themed restaurants was the Castaway in Burbank. Besides the Ports O’Call Restaurant, other notable dining establishments included The Proud Bird, adjacent to LAX, The Odyssey Restaurant in Granada Hills, the 94th Aero Squadron at Van Nuys and Torrance Airports, as well as the Pieces O’ Eight in Marina Del Rey. All totaled, Tallichet designed, financed, or built 100 restaurants across the U.S.

Both of Tallichet’s original restaurants, the Reef and Castaway, remain open today. Unfortunately, Tallichet’s original Reef Restaurant burned down in the early 1960s, but he rebuilt the establishment in its original location.

*Tallichet (right) reviewing the plans for the Proud Bird Restaurant adjacent to Los*
*Angeles International Airport, circa 1965*
*Photo courtesy of Specialty Restaurants.*

In addition to his restaurant ventures, Tallichet’s love for aviation inspired him to purchase 120 vintage civilian and military aircraft including a P-51 Mustang, a P-40 Tomahawk, a B-25 Mitchell Bomber, a B-17 Flying Fortress, a B-26 Marauder, a B-29 Superfortress, and Mig 17.

Tallichet flew his B-17 across the Atlantic for use in the film, Memphis Belle.

Tallichet is even linked to Hollywood’s golden age, as his sister, actress Margaret Tallichet, was married to director renowned film director, William Wyler.

Tallichet died in 2007 due to complications related to prostate cancer.

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Steve Tabor

This South Bay native’s photographic journey began after receiving his first 35 mm film camera upon earning his Bachelor of Arts degree. As a classroom teacher he used photography to share the world and his experiences with his students. Steve began his photography career photographing coastal landscapes and marine life. His experiences have led him to include portraits and group photography, special event photography as well as live performance and athletics in his portfolio. As a contributor and photojournalist, he has published stories about the people, places and events in and around the Palos Verdes Peninsula and beyond.

Interested in seeing more of Steve’s work, visit website at: www.stevetaborimages.com