Gladstone’s Comes to San Pedro’s West Harbor

The West Harbor development — the project for the former site of San Pedro’s Ports O’ Call that was initially named San Pedro Public Market — brings Gladstone’s in as the new anchor tenant. The new name and project is moving along well, despite a period of stagnation.

Back in pre-COVID times, through 2019 and after demolition of the original quaint village, except for the San Pedro Fish Market, no one knew exactly what tenants and what kind of layout the new site on the Waterfront would bring.

Slated to open in 2022, the West Harbor project has begun lining up occupants — including a yet-to-be named concept from Greg Morena of Pappy’s Seafood, formerly located on 6th Street in San Pedro. Robert Bell of the recently closed Chez Melange in Redondo Beach will also open a now unnamed establishment. A brewery and beer garden are also in the works with information to come.

As with all Gladstone’s, its trademark views of the water remain consistent. The West Harbor location shares the same owners as the 16-year-old Long Beach location — as opposed to the original iconic Gladstone’s built in 1972 at the end of Sunset Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, owned by former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan. After 50 years that location had structural issues and has now undergone changes to form a new project designed by Frank Gehry and to be operated by Wolfgang Puck.

When completed, San Pedro’s West Harbor will provide nearly 35,000 square feet of waterfront dining space. The venue will include shopping, fresh markets, office space, a waterfront promenade, a 6,200-seat amphitheater for live entertainment, a dockside area for incoming cruises and water taxis as well as the AltaSea marine research facility. Construction is scheduled to begin this year at a cost of $53.7 million. The developers, The Ratkovich Co. and Jerico Development, are expected to invest about $100 million in this redevelopment.

Amid changes from iconic locations to new developments, Gladstone’s seems to have the recipe for lasting appeal with its mix of offerings in prime locations with a casual ambiance. Yet, the project has had its critics, particularly from people within the community. Some worry about displacement as a result of gentrification and an influx of tourism.

Port town residents lambasted the loss of the 57-year-old Ports O’ Call Restaurant, which was forced out in 2018. It had all of the same offerings as Gladstone’s, sans the name recognition. But the restaurant more than made up for that with its longtime support in hosting local musical talent. Indeed, a reciprocal relationship was enjoyed for many years between the community and the restaurant that they had grown attached to.

Now, West Harbor is on track to break ground formally in 2021.