Chicago's iconic Navy Pier adds marina

Chicago's iconic Navy Pier adds marina © SF Marina

Chicago is renowned for its towering skyscrapers and seamless stretch of public parks and beaches along Lake Michigan. But since its renovation 30 years ago, the jewel of the city has been historic Navy Pier. Today, the popular attraction has undergone another transformation with the addition of a large transient marina protected by a state-of-the-art 91m SF Marina floating concrete wave-attenuating breakwater.

Navy Pier Marina is the passionate creation of local developer Randy Podolsky. "Ever since I began boating in 1983, I've felt Navy Pier was the ideal site for a marina; in 2015, I began floating the idea." Overcoming 10 years of red tape and legal and political hurdles, his dream of providing boat owners with a new world-class marina destination will become reality this June.

Working with marina designers and engineers Edgewater Resources, Podolsky opted for nearly 2,400m of Structurmarine floating aluminum docks to be installed against Navy Pier's north side. While a large rock breakwater offshore offers the marina some protection, the location is essentially a long, hard-sided channel. When waves and wakes enter the basin, an uncomfortable, confused chop can develop, so the engineers recommended an SF Marina breakwater and complementing wave fence to create a truly serene environment.

Marine contractor JF Brennan Company installed five 4m x 18m SF400 Series breakwaters. The sections were manufactured at SF Marina's Norfolk, Virginia, USA facility and transported via truck to Chicago.

Due to their overall mass, unique geometry and innovative coupling system, the SF400 array absorbs and distributes wave-induced stress loads. The system is anchored on 5cm stud link chains and large concrete dead-weight anchors. This proven combination has been protecting marinas and marine structures worldwide for 30 years.

"As a developer, I know we could only create a marina in this challenging location with the SF Marina breakwater. Between SF and Structurmarine, we have built a truly great marina where recreational boaters can finally experience everything Navy Pier has to offer."

Navy Pier Marina offers short-term and overnight dockage for vessels up to 55m and immediate access to a wide range of five-star dining, hotel, shopping and entertainment options. The pet-friendly marina has around-the-clock security, power and water hookups, wi-fi and pump-out services, as well as on-site laundry, washrooms and showers. Its website with online registration is at www.navypiermarina.com.

Gothenburg, Sweden-based SF Marina engineers and manufactures floating breakwaters and concrete dock pontoons, and related marine structures that are built to withstand extreme weather events. Through a robust network of international offices, it has completed recreational and commercial projects around the globe.