Construction is set to start later this year for the Navy Pier Marina located along the north side of the pier at roughly 848 E Grand Avenue. Nearly a decade in development, the new addition to the pier has finally received all of the necessary city approvals in order to move forward. The project is being led by NPM Ventures LLC and its founder Randy Podolsky.
Site plan of Navy Pier Marina via Google Maps
With Navy Pier continuously reinventing much of its offerings including the recently opened Flyover Experience in the former gardens and outdoor concerts at the pier’s eastern end, the marina is the next step in its plans. However, unlike the others it is not being spearheaded by the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, commonly known as McPier, who owns the Pier and McCormick Place.
Current view of site for Navy Pier Marina via Google Maps
Plans for the marina were originally approved in 2016 but delayed due to political disagreements during the Lightfoot administration. This was cleared up under Brandon Johnson late last year. The new facility would bring life and activity to the side of the pier mostly used for deliveries and parking, constructing a new deck along the majority of the north side connected to the pier at three locations.
Site plan of Navy Pier Marina via NPM
From this linear deck would extend 18 angled fixed and floating piers providing 6,400 linear feet of mooring space with in-slip pump out, electricity, and water services. There will be no minimum size requirement to utilize the facility and it will be able to hold boats up to 130 feet in size with no issues, with some being able to hold 180-foot-long boats as well.
Navy Pier Marina details via NPM
Small structures on-site will also provide showers, a store, lounge, and restrooms, with a 24-hour on-site concierge service. The marina will also be one of the few transient oriented piers in the city allowing for short term use of hours up to a few days, all bookable online. Though a formal budget isn’t known, the project will commence construction soon with the goal of opening for the summer 2025 boating season.
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I love this, minor in the grand scheme of things but bringing new life to this area nonetheless.
What I’ll never understand is why there’s any bit of Navy Pier used for parking cars. This could be twice the attractive destination (literally) if both sides were pedestrian oriented.
Oh the high costs of parking!
If there’s no parking for cars, Navy Pier would go bankrupt in 48 hours. That’s why.
But I agree with you that I wish that the north side of the pier had more attractions than just an access road.
Sadly no one took account of Milwaukee harboring Viking Great Lakes expedition ships. This would have been an ideal dock for their luxury cruises. Instead we’ll be second fiddle to Milwaukee.
They’re coming in 2026! But not as a homeport. I’m curious to know where they plan to dock.
Milwaukee’s airport is a quick 5 miles from the piers. ORD is 15, MDW is 10, and traffic is heck to both. As a home port, Milwaukee will always beat Chicago for getting passengers in & out of a home port.
There’s room enough for both. There should be a Viking ship out of each imo.
I don’t know why they don’t build more piers. One south of Soldier, another further south by Rainbow Park, and one by Calumet Park near the Coast Guard Station. At least one could be fashioned as an old-school Coney Island type of venue limited to local vendors. More for locals than for tourists.
I mean, even Brandon Johnson was smart enough to understand that those marina spots are goldmines. And he’s the type of adult who has the haircut that 7th graders try to convince their moms to let them have. If he can see this, it should be pretty obvious.
I’d be curious as to the fiscal impact to the City and McPier.