Lake Michigan’s newest luxury stop: Navy Pier Marina set to open in June

NPM Venture LLC has unveiled exciting plans for the June 13, 2025 grand opening of Navy Pier Marina, a state-of-the-art marina that will revolutionize access to Navy Pier and downtown Chicago. As the only marina offering boaters a gateway to Navy Pier attractions and the vibrant city beyond, Navy Pier Marina will become the ultimate destination for boaters from Chicago, surrounding suburbs and across the Great Lakes.

According to the latest updates, all piers are now installed and the Boater Amenities Building is nearing completion. Navy Pier Marina will be ready to welcome transient boaters beginning June 13, marking the start of Chicago’s summer boating season.

Navy Pier Marina will not only cater to recreational boaters but also offer limited availability for seasonal commercial vessels including fishing charters, sailing and dive excursions, boat clubs, social charters, and boat-share operators.

A key highlight will be the inaugural Chicago International Boat Show, scheduled for August 21–24, 2025. Produced by Revel Republic, renowned for the Newport Beach International Boat Show and San Diego International Boat Show, the Chicago event will feature an exclusive selection of luxury boats, yachts, watercraft, and curated showcases from luxury automotive brands, private aviation, and gourmet culinary experiences.

Boaters can enjoy a range of amenities including lunch and dinner hourly tie-ups, as well as overnight and extended stays. Enjoy Chicago’s premier attractions—like the Centennial Wheel, Flyover Chicago, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and the Chicago Children’s Museum—just steps from your mooring.

The marina will feature broadside (side-tie) mooring for vessels up to 183 feet, with modern floating piers and adjustable cleats. Boaters will also benefit from an intuitive online reservation system, concierge-quality service, power and water hookups, Wi-Fi, and pump-out services.

A standout feature is the two-story Boater Amenities Building, constructed from repurposed shipping containers to achieve a modern yet environmentally conscious design. The building includes the marina office, ship’s store, restrooms, showers, a boater’s lounge, laundry facilities, bicycle repair station and a pet-friendly relief area.

“The phrase, ‘It takes a village,’ has never been truer,” said Marilynn Gardner, President and CEO of Navy Pier. “This magnificent marina represents the culmination of a decade of tireless work and countless hours from concept to reality.”

Privately funded and entrepreneurially driven, NPM Venture LLC—operating as Navy Pier Marina—is the passion project of Chicago native Randy D. Podolsky. An active U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary member since 1991, Podolsky has been committed to water safety and Chicago’s boating community for decades. He founded the Waukegan Water Safety Association in 2001 to support local Auxiliary units and has been a prominent figure in Chicago’s commercial real estate scene since 1976.

In an exclusive Chicago Star interview with Chicago native Randy Podolsky, developer and visionary behind Navy Pier Marina, Podolsky shared his thoughts on this exciting, new addition to the Pier. “It is decades in the making. I have always wanted to bring a boat to Navy Pier, and, in 2015, I presented a proposal to Navy Pier, inc. for the centennial plan,” he said. "What makes me the most proud is our relationship with The Academy Group. Two of their student referrals were hired by the Marina for summer staff. These are Chicago kids who the academy helps with summer, internships and jobs, job training, college prep and financial literacy. Part of my dream from the beginning of this project was to give back to Chicago and engage its youth." 

How will he celebrate when it opens? Podolsky said he plans to take a day off. “It’s been ten years in the making, and I plan to be there to welcome our boaters with our new staff.”  

Podolsky summed up the meaning of the marina to the city of Chicago. “It’s a game-changer. It’s never been done before, impossible to replicate. Water-borne access to the Pier has NEVER been allowed for recreational boaters. This is a huge deal!”

(For more information, including reservation details, visit the official website: navypiermarina.com. Partner Contractors: Edgewater Resources;  J.F. Brennan;  S.I. Container Builds ; Structurmarine ; Marina Electrical Equipment)