Navy Pier Marina launching in 2021, first of its kind on Lake Michigan
Navy Pier will soon be the home to Chicago's newest marina. Navy Pier Marina will be the first marina on Lake Michigan to exclusively offer short term, transient docking facilities with immediate access to The People's Pier dining, shopping and entertainment, filling a need for both local and visiting boaters. The first-class marina will provide boaters with a new and unique boating experience and will serve as the premier lakeside entry to the city.
The planned marina is already generating excitement from the boating community in and around Chicago as there are currently limited transient docking options.
"Navy Pier Marina will provide a much-needed service to the boating community in Chicago" said Joe Caltabiano, longtime Chicago harbors boater and prominent Chicago businessman. "Short term docking and quick access to restaurants and the city are sorely lacking."
The marina will put Navy Pier on the map as the premier boating destination for Lake Michigan boaters, "Loopers" and visiting boats from other Great Lakes, as well as those transiting from the oceans to the Great Lakes, driving incremental tourism and revenue on and off the iconic pier.
"Attracting new, unique customers to Navy Pier's broad array of restaurants, bars and entertainment options is great for Chicago and boaters from all around the city and surrounding areas," said Tito Beveridge, founder of Tito's Handmade Vodka. "This venue will provide everything local boaters have been desiring for many years."
Navy Pier Marina is the result of project developer Randy D. Podolsky's long-term vision and his dedication to bring the project to life.
"A marina at Navy Pier has been talked about casually for decades," Podolsky said. "For over 35 years, I have dreamed about being able to moor at Navy Pier for lunch, dinner or an overnight stay. My vision to make the conceived marina a dedicated transient marina, brings the desires of all boaters to fruition. Since the project's approval by Chicago's City Council in 2016, we have worked non-stop to bring the project to the people of Chicago, and all boaters who yearn for access to Navy Pier from the water. Navy Pier Marina is being privately funded and will bring the benefits of economic growth to the city, additional jobs and more exposure to Navy Pier."
The marina will be located on the north side of Navy Pier and will offer hourly, daily or weekly mooring to vessels up to 130 feet.
Guest amenities include concierge services, 24-hour access and staffing, advance online reservations, secured entry, a boater's lounge, ship store, WiFi, utilities, bike racks and in-slip pump-out facilities.
The project is being developed for Navy Pier by NPM Venture LLC with design and engineering by world-renowned design and engineering firm, Edgewater Resources. It will be constructed with private-funding and is scheduled to be open to boaters in 2021.
More information about the new marina will be available at the Chicago Boat Show, Jan. 8-12 at McCormick Place and online at navypiermarina.com.