One of Lake Michigan’s most iconic landmarks is Navy Pier. On the shoreline of central Chicago – itself defined by water – this city-owned tourist destination is as long as six city blocks and welcomes nearly nine million visitors annually. Originally opened in 1916 as a shipping and recreation facility called Municipal Pier and later renamed to honour US naval combatants of World War 1, Navy Pier now offers more than 50 acres of parks, restaurants, attractions, shops, exposition facilities, and sightseeing cruises.

Yet despite its rich maritime heritage, Navy Pier long lacked a marina for transient recreational boaters. That changed in 2025, when NPM Venture LLC, launched Navy Pier Marina. Designed to accommodate vessels up to 183 feet in length (56 metres) with broadside (side-tie) mooring, the new facility welcomes boaters from across Chicago, the suburbs, and the wider Great Lakes region. Visitors can now tie up their vessels and enjoy everything that Navy Pier has to offer. The Marina is also set to become a hub for premier boating events, including the inaugural Chicago International Boat Show, scheduled for August 2025.

Giving the vastness of Lake Michigan, more than 22,400 square miles (58,000 km2), weather conditions can be unpredictable, with sudden storms bringing strong winds and rough waters. To ensure reliable protection, the owners partnered with SF Marina to develop a state-of-the-art floating wave attenuator. Manufactured at SF Marina’s factory in Norfolk, Virginia, and delivered by truck to Chicago, the system comprises five concrete pontoons, each 4 metres wide and 18 metres long, anchored by heavy stud link chains and massive concrete deadweight anchors. The design offers exceptional durability, capable of withstanding even the severest of storms.

With its official opening in 2025, Navy Pier Marina marks a new chapter for lakeside Chicago, bringing world-class boating access to one of America’s most celebrated urban waterfronts.

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