A floating resort barge is luxurious enough, but how about one with a lazy river? Breakwater Chicago is a proposed 300x100-foot party vessel that will be anchored on Lake Michigan, a little more than a mile off Chicago’s shoreline. Breakwater has been sharing renderings of its project across social media channels this month.
We're sure you've all envisioned hanging out on Breakwater on a summer day. If you haven't, let us help you out.. pic.twitter.com/0LOA4oPXhx
— Breakwater Chicago (@BreakwaterCHI) March 8, 2016
The resort will have three restaurants, a swimming pool, and spa. The vessel’s open-air structures are defined by their rounded shapes and smooth, modern appearance. Boats and water taxis can dock on its piers. Though it's only the size of a football field, Breakwater will be able to hold more than 2,000 people.
Ever thought about what it would look like as soon as you step foot onto Breakwater? pic.twitter.com/YkYlfph04s
— Breakwater Chicago (@BreakwaterCHI) March 4, 2016
It will even be operable in the winter. Breakwater will be towed to the coast and enclosed in a clear dome during the colder months.
While the project is rich with ambitious concepts, specific details on construction and clearance have not been released.
The project, which was announced in 2014, is led by Chicago area native Beau D’Arcy, a lifelong sailor and Harvard Business School graduate. D’Arcy estimates that it will cost $23 million to fund Breakwater. A Kickstarter campaign raised more than $60,000.
Related Stories
| Jan 28, 2014
First Look: BIG's Honeycomb building for Bahamas resort [slideshow]
BIG + HKS + MDA have unveiled the design for the new Honeycomb building and adjacent plaza in The Bahamas – a 175,000-sf residential facility with a private pool on each balcony.
| Jan 28, 2014
16 awe-inspiring interior designs from around the world [slideshow]
The International Interior Design Association released the winners of its 4th Annual Global Excellence Awards. Here's a recap of the winning projects.
| Jan 21, 2014
2013: The year of the super-tall skyscraper
Last year was the second-busiest ever in terms of 200-meter-plus building completions, with 73 towers, according to a report by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
| Jan 13, 2014
Custom exterior fabricator A. Zahner unveils free façade design software for architects
The web-based tool uses the company's factory floor like "a massive rapid prototype machine,” allowing designers to manipulate designs on the fly based on cost and other factors, according to CEO/President Bill Zahner.
| Jan 11, 2014
Getting to net-zero energy with brick masonry construction [AIA course]
When targeting net-zero energy performance, AEC professionals are advised to tackle energy demand first. This AIA course covers brick masonry's role in reducing energy consumption in buildings.
| Dec 27, 2013
Grand Cancun to be first net-zero energy luxury eco-tourism resort
Using a marine platform concept instead of an artificial island, the development will create more space with less impact in the fragile marine ecosystem.
| Dec 27, 2013
$1 billion 'city within a city' development approved by Coachella, Calif., city council
The mega development includes 7,800 homes, a retail center, office space, and nearly 350 acres of open space.
| Dec 13, 2013
Safe and sound: 10 solutions for fire and life safety
From a dual fire-CO detector to an aspiration-sensing fire alarm, BD+C editors present a roundup of new fire and life safety products and technologies.
| Dec 10, 2013
16 great solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors
From a crowd-funded smart shovel to a why-didn’t-someone-do-this-sooner scheme for managing traffic in public restrooms, these ideas are noteworthy for creative problem-solving. Here are some of the most intriguing innovations the BD+C community has brought to our attention this year.
| Nov 27, 2013
Wonder walls: 13 choices for the building envelope
BD+C editors present a roundup of the latest technologies and applications in exterior wall systems, from a tapered metal wall installation in Oklahoma to a textured precast concrete solution in North Carolina.