Navy Pier

Name

Navy Pier

Legal name

Navy Pier, Inc.

Website

https://navypier.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Marinas (713930), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210), Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Marina & Waterfront Full-Service Hotels (THAGAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate & Event Cruise Charters (MICE/Buyouts) (THAEAEAE), Sightseeing & Scenic Boat Tours (Harbor, Sunset, Dolphin/Whale Watching) (THAJAJAA)

Keywords

• Entertainment destination operations
• Cultural tourism attractions
• Event venue rental services
• Hospitality and dining services
• Nonprofit destination management

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticketing and attraction admissions: Revenue from ticketed rides and attractions including Pier Park (Centennial Wheel, Carousel, Teacups, Wave Swinger, Mini-Golf, Summer Skate) and Pier Passport annual pass (discounts on parking, free Centennial Wheel tickets, rotating perks). Transaction-based per-ride/per-visit and annual subscription hybrid.
2. Tenant and lease revenue (70 tenant partners): Rental/lease income from 70 unique on-site tenant partners operating restaurants, retail, attractions, and cultural venues across 50 acres. Stable, recurring base.
3. Private event venue rental and event services: Event space rental across Aon Grand Ballroom, Festival Hall, Lakeview Terrace, Navy Pier Beer Garden, Meeting Rooms, and Terrace A West for meetings, conventions, trade shows, weddings, galas; bundled with Pierless Hospitality catering, show services, and Shore Show-style concessions. Project- and contract-based.
4. Sponsorship, naming rights, and brand activations: Revenue from sponsors/partners including named assets (Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion with Peoples Gas; Polk Bros Park with Polk Bros Foundation; Wintrust; Northwestern Medicine Wellness Way; Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling; RYTHM as official THC beverage partner; Pritzker Foundation; Ferrara Candy Company) plus dedicated brand-activations, partnerships, and performance inquiries teams.
5. Donations and philanthropic contributions: 501(c)(3) donations supporting the Pier's nonprofit mission; highlighted by a $20 million legacy gift from the Polk Family (2014) and ongoing annual fundraising (donate today, Toast to the Pier, Lakefront Loop 5K, A Chicago ExPIERience Gala).
6. Parking and valet: Two on-site parking garages plus valet service, with online pre-purchase reservation through JustPark. Transaction-based.
7. Cruise, tour, and marina commissions: Commissions/revenue share from on-site cruise and tour operators (City Cruises, Shoreline Sightseeing, Tall Ship Windy, Big Bus Tours, speedboat, dinner/brunch, specialty cruises, bicycle tours) and transient slip rentals at Navy Pier Marina.
8. Hotel and dining (Sable at Navy Pier): Revenue from on-site 223-room Sable at Navy Pier boutique hotel, its rooftop bar, and on-site dining partners (Offshore Rooftop, Lirica, Harry Caray's, Chef Art Smith's Reunion, Giordano's, Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, Ben & Jerry's, I Dream of Falafel).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Navy Pier operates a 50-acre, six-block lakefront entertainment, cultural, and exposition campus in Chicago, offering ticketed attractions (Centennial Wheel, Pier Park rides, Summer Skate, Flyover Chicago), cultural venues (Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Chicago Children's Museum, The Butterfly House), a 223-room Sable at Navy Pier hotel, an all-transient marina, private event spaces (Aon Grand Ballroom, Festival Hall, Lakeview Terrace), 70 on-site tenant partners (restaurants and retail), and a year-round calendar of free cultural programs, fireworks, festivals, and concerts. The organization runs as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded by attraction ticket sales, tenant leases, event rentals, sponsorships, parking, cruise commissions, and philanthropic donations.

Product overview

Navy Pier is a unified entertainment destination platform rather than a discrete software product: a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 50-acre, six-block Lake Michigan pier in Chicago that bundles cultural attractions, family rides, ticketed events, dining and retail tenants, a marina, and a hotel under a single brand and shared operating infrastructure. The product portfolio is organized around several distinct modules: (1) ticketed attractions anchored by the Centennial Wheel and Pier Park (Carousel, Teacups, Mini-golf, Wave Swinger) plus the new Summer Skate roller-skating experience and Flyover Chicago flight ride; (2) cultural attractions including the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Chicago Children's Museum, The Butterfly House, and the Wellness Way fitness trail; (3) the Sable at Navy Pier hotel with its Offshore Rooftop venue; (4) a tenant partner ecosystem of restaurants (Chef Art Smith's Reunion, Harry Caray's, Offshore Rooftop, Giordano's, Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, Ben & Jerry's, I Dream of Falafel) and retail shops (IT'SUGAR, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Cotacachi Handy Crafts, Pepper Palace, Magnetic Attraction, Chicago Sports & Novelty); (5) the Navy Pier Event Center with event spaces (Aon Grand Ballroom, Festival Hall, Lakeview Terrace, Navy Pier Beer Garden, Meeting Rooms, Terrace A West) and Pierless Hospitality in-house catering services; (6) cruise and tour operators (City Cruises, Shoreline Sightseeing Cruises, Tall Ship Windy, Big Bus Tours, speedboat and bicycle tours) that depart from the pier; (7) the all-transient Navy Pier Marina; and (8) signature event series such as Summer Fireworks, CHICAGO LIVE! Festival, Live on the Lake!, and the Navy Pier Open Air concert series. These modules are tied together by the Pier Passport annual pass, a unified ticketing system, the navypier.org website, and a free public programming schedule of more than 469 cultural programs annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sable at Navy Pier: 223-room boutique hotel on Navy Pier with rooftop bar, accommodations, and dining experiences.
• Pier Passport
• EXPO CHICAGO Contemporary Art Fair

Quantifiable outcome

• 8.3 million guests welcomed in 2025 (nearly 9 million annually; 240+ million since 1995 reopening)
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers38 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

38 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• RYTHM, Inc.flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 May 2026RYTHM, Inc. (Nasdaq: RYM) named the official THC beverage partner of Navy Pier under a multi-year partnership launching May 22, 2026. RYTHM gets access to the Navy Pier Beer Garden through the RYTHM Stage, with events, pop-ups, and sampling of Sativa, Kush, and Señorita THC Margaritas to the pier's 8 million annual visitors. The partnership follows RYTHM's earlier debut as the first THC beverage sponsor at Chicago's United Center.
• Polk Family / Polk Bros Foundation (Polk Bros Park)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 July 2014Made a $20 million legacy gift that named and funded the Polk Bros Park Fountain and Plaza, the gateway to Navy Pier and a centerpiece of the Centennial Vision.
• James Corner Field Operations (JCFO)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2011Lead architect for the Centennial Vision / Pierscape redesign, including Polk Bros Park, Pier Park, the South Dock and East End Park. Navy Pier's Board of Directors selected JCFO on March 15, 2013, to lead the Pierscape Design Project.
• Peoples Gas (Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNaming-rights partner for the Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion, a 4,000-square-foot eco-friendly facility featuring a 35-foot state-of-the-art digital screen, public restrooms, comfy seating, and the urban apiary of five bee hives managed by the Chicago Honey Co-op.
• Northwestern Medicine (Wellness Way)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTitle partner of the Northwestern Medicine Wellness Way fitness trail along the Lakefront, supporting Navy Pier's wellness programming and the Lakefront Loop 5K Run & Kids Dash.
• Wintrust (Magnificent Mile Lights Festival)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle partner of the Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival; featured on the navy pier footer alongside Northwestern Medicine, Peoples Gas, Polk Bros, and Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling.
• Reyes Coca-Cola BottlingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage partner featured in the Navy Pier footer logo block.
• Sable at Navy Pier (sablehotel.com)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner223-room boutique hotel at Navy Pier's east end, adjacent to and including the historic Terminal Building, with rooftop terrace restaurant and skyline views. Built as part of the Centennial Vision redevelopment.
• Chicago Shakespeare TheaterflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates three year-round performance venues at Navy Pier, including The Yard, an innovative expansion developed in partnership with the Centennial Vision. Spring 2026 includes The Merry Wives of Windsor and Mrs. Krishnan's Party.
• Chicago Children's MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-site tenant partner offering inclusive, multisensory exhibits and programs, including the Play For All initiative for children with disabilities.
• Flyover (Flyover Chicago)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-site flying-theater attraction added as part of Navy Pier's second-century redevelopment.
• City CruisescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOn-site cruise partner operating brunch, lunch, dinner, and Margaritas & Memories concert cruises from Navy Pier.
• Shoreline Sightseeing CruisescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOn-site cruise and water-taxi partner; provides water-taxi service May through September plus additional fall and special-event service.
• Tall Ship WindyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOn-site tall-ship sailing tour operator.
• Big Bus ToursminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour partner with pickup/drop-off at Navy Pier.
• The Motion AgencycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerExternal PR partner of record for Navy Pier; handles all media requests ([email protected], 872-270-2319).
• Pierless HospitalitycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExclusive on-site catering/hospitality partner of the Navy Pier Event Center, providing Pierless Hospitality services for events.
• TixrcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTicketing partner powering Navy Pier Event Center concert and event sales (https://www.tixr.com/groups/navypiereventcenter).
• JustParkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party advance-parking and valet reservation platform powering Navy Pier's online parking pre-purchase.
• EXPO CHICAGO Contemporary Art FaircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts the 13th edition of EXPO CHICAGO in Navy Pier's Festival Hall, April 9-12, 2026; partner includes collaboration with the Obama Presidential Center and the Galleries Association of Korea.
• Pritzker FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the Chicago Live! Festival, the Midwest's largest free performing arts festival at Navy Pier.
• Ferrara Candy CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-presenting sponsor of the Chicago Live! Festival at Navy Pier.
• Chicago Honey Co-opminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBeekeeping partner that has managed Navy Pier's five-hive urban apiary behind the Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion for the past six years.
• Old Town School of MusicminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpring Break and event programming partner; offers workshops such as Electronic Music Playground.
• Chicago Stars FCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpring Break programming partner hosting soccer skill stations in Polk Bros Park.
• Chicago Bird AllianceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpring Break programming partner offering Urban Bird Watching programming at the Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion.
• The Salvation ArmyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpring Break programming partner operating the "Do Good Station" at The Landing Staircase.
• ComEd and Sue Ling Gin Foundation Trust (Global Connections Series)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsors of Navy Pier's Global Connections Series, including Mexico Fest (May 1-3, 2026).
• IT'SUGARminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTenant partner operating a 2,000-square-foot Navy Pier store; world's largest specialty candy retailer.
• Build-A-Bear WorkshopminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTenant partner operating a Navy Pier store where guests can create personalized stuffed animals.
• Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Bar and Grill – ChicagominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTenant partner operating themed restaurant at Navy Pier.
• Giordano'sminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTenant partner operating an iconic Chicago deep-dish pizza location.
• Harry Caray'sminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTenant partner operating Chicago sports-bar restaurant on the Pier; host of the 28th Annual Worldwide Toast.
• Chef Art Smith's ReunionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTenant partner operating signature Chicago restaurant.
• Offshore RooftopminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTenant partner operating the Navy Pier Rooftop, the largest rooftop bar and restaurant in Chicago.
• Ben & Jerry'sminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTenant partner operating an ice cream shop on the Pier.
• I Dream of FalafelminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTenant partner operating a quick-service Mediterranean restaurant.
• Divvy Bike Share (Lyft)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates a Divvy station and kiosk in Polk Bros Park at the corner of Streeter and Grand.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Santa Monica Pier: Iconic California tourist pier on the Pacific Ocean offering amusement rides, dining, retail, and cruises. Direct comparable as a historic, single-location waterfront entertainment destination; recently designated by the City of Chicago as the symbolic Pier-to-Pier partner of Navy Pier via the Route 66 100th anniversary connection.
• Pier 39: San Francisco's most-visited tourist destination on the bay, combining shopping, dining, street performances, a marina, and bay cruises. Closest U.S. analog to Navy Pier in combining a transient marina, tenant retail/dining mix, family attractions, and cruise/tour operator partnerships under a single pier destination brand.
• South Street Seaport Museum / Seaport District: Historic New York City waterfront destination on the East River combining retail, dining, museum exhibits, sailing ships, and cruise/tour departures. Direct comparable as an older, mixed-use urban pier destination with a maritime cultural mission and tenant-driven commercial mix.
• The Wharf (Washington, DC): Redeveloped Washington, DC waterfront district combining hotels, residential, dining, retail, a marina, entertainment venues, and water taxis. Direct comparable as a destination-scale waterfront mixed-use campus with a transient marina, hotel, event venues, and cruise operator partnerships.

Broad incumbents

• Disney Springs: Walt Disney Company's 120+ acre outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complex at Walt Disney World. Broader incumbent offering ticketed attractions, dining, retail, and event venues under a single destination brand; comparable to Navy Pier's mix but operates at much larger scale with stronger weather resilience as a permanent entertainment campus.
• Universal CityWalk: Universal's entertainment and dining districts adjacent to its theme parks in Orlando and Hollywood. Comparable as a destination entertainment campus combining dining, retail, theaters, and ticketed attractions; broader incumbent with theme-park traffic as a feeder.
• Downtown Disney District: Disney's outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment district at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. Comparable as a destination entertainment campus pairing Disney-grade attractions with shopping and dining tenants; operates as a broader incumbent at smaller scale than Disney Springs.

Regional players

• Shedd Aquarium: Major Chicago lakefront cultural attraction on Museum Campus. Competes with Navy Pier for Chicago tourist day-trip dollars and cultural-attraction visitors, but focuses on aquarium exhibits rather than a multi-tenant entertainment destination model.
• Willis Tower / Skydeck Chicago: Chicago observation-deck attraction offering skyline views from the former Sears Tower. Competes with the Centennial Wheel and other Navy Pier ticketed attractions for tourist day-visit dollars in downtown Chicago, but operates as a single attraction rather than a destination campus.
• Chicago Riverwalk: City-operated pedestrian waterfront along the Chicago River featuring dining, boating, and cultural activations. Competes with Navy Pier for Chicago waterfront leisure visitors and dining spend, but is publicly operated, free to enter, and lacks a hotel, marina, or ticketed-ride mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/navypierchicago
• Xx.com/navypier

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Navy Pier