Janss Investment Company
| Industry | real estate development |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1895 |
| Founder | Peter Janss |
| Defunct | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California |
Key people | Edwin Janss Sr. Harold Janss Edwin Janss Jr.(Chairman, 1970s) Bill Janss William Janss Jr. (President, 1980) Todd Janss |
The Janss Investment Company operated as a family-owned real estate development enterprise based in Los Angeles from its establishment in 1895 until its closure in 1995.
First generation
Established by Peter Janss, originally a Danish doctor who transitioned into real estate following his move to Los Angeles in 1893, the company was formally organized by Peter alongside his sons Edwin Janss Sr. and Harold Janss by 1906. Their primary focus was on residential subdivision projects throughout prominent Southern California areas such as Belvedere Gardens, Boyle Heights, Monterey Park, and Yorba Linda.
Among their notable developments were Ramona Acres in Monterey Park and the subdivision of Highland Villa and Belvedere Gardens within Boyle Heights. In 1909, the firm purchased and parceled out a 3,500-acre tract from the Bernardo Yorba Rancho Cañón de Santa Ana land grant, leading to the founding of the community known as "Yorba Linda," representing a strategic move into expanding suburban territories.
Second generation
Edwin Janss Sr. and Harold Janss continued the family legacy by developing neighborhoods including Van Nuys and Owensmouth, now recognized as Canoga Park.
In 1911, Harold married Gladys Letts, daughter of Arthur Letts. Upon Letts's passing in 1923, they acquired the William Wolfskill ranch situated on Rancho San Jose de Buenos Ayres. In a significant transaction in 1925, the Janss Investment Company sold land to the cities of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills for $1.2 million—approximately 25% of its market value—to support the creation of UCLA. These municipalities subsequently transferred the property to the state. The "Janss Steps" on UCLA's campus commemorate the brothers' contributions. Concurrent with UCLA's construction, Janss Investment Company developed both commercial and residential sectors within Westwood Village.[1][2][3] It is noteworthy that racial restrictive covenants implemented in Westwood Village prohibited people of color from accessing local businesses.[4]
After divesting land for UCLA’s establishment, Janss sold nearby properties along Hilgard Avenue primarily to European American Greek organizations at prices below market rates. In 1938, when Asian American sorority Chi Alpha Delta attempted to acquire the UCLA Religious Conference building near campus, they encountered opposition from Janss partners who refused to sell to "Orientals."[5][6]
The Janss Brothers' Westwood Village office—the Janss Investment Company Building, also known as the Janss Dome—was inaugurated in 1929 and continues to serve as a prominent architectural symbol. The company's distinctive "Janss Investment Co." imprints can still be found embedded in sidewalks throughout various neighborhoods on Los Angeles’s Westside.
Third generation
Representing the third generation of the Janss family involved in Los Angeles real estate development was Edwin Janss Jr., who served as chairman of the Janss Investment Company. Alongside his brother Bill Janss, he played a key role in expanding and managing two ski resorts—Sun Valley located in Idaho and Snowmass in Colorado—both of which were sold during the late 1970s. Additionally, they were responsible for developing Thousand Oaks, a suburban area spanning 10,000 acres in the Conejo Valley, land that had been purchased in 1919.
Fourth generation
In 1980, William Janss Jr., M.D., assumed the presidency of Janss Corp., guiding projects with an estimated worth near $160 million. The company ultimately closed its operations in 1995. Presently, Dr. Janss practices medicine in El Paso, Texas.