Case Study: Navy Pier, Inc. revitalizes Chicago’s iconic pier with Thornton Tomasetti

Navy Pier keeps 9 million visitors coming back with Thornton Tomasetti

The customer, Navy Pier, Inc., faced the challenge of modernizing Chicago's historic 3,300-foot-long pier while it remained open to the public. The project required navigating complex, layered foundations with unknown load capacities and repairing prior damage. Thornton Tomasetti provided structural engineering and renewal services to assess and reinforce the structure for new attractions.

Thornton Tomasetti implemented innovative solutions, including drone-based photogrammetry to model damage, designing novel hybrid foundations for a new Ferris wheel, and creating a lightweight steel hotel structure. The results included the successful installation of major new attractions like a 196-foot-tall Ferris wheel and a flexible theater, all with minimal closure. The revitalized pier continues to serve its nine million annual visitors.

Navy Pier, Inc