Project History

Rowing and Paddling in Chicago in 1923

This is Chicago's River Renaissance.  Rowing has been a competitive sport for centuries.  It was one of the original sports in the first modern Olympic Games, it was the first intercollegiate sport in the United States, and it is easily one of the fastest growing sports in Chicago today. In the past few decades, the sport has evolved beyond a stereotypically marked endeavor of stuffy New England universities.  Rowing has developed into a multimillion dollar industry that has a diverse following and whose participants come from, quite literally, every segment of society.

Around the country and in locations throughout Europe, rowing clubs have proven to be a positive investment, both for the community and for the investors in the clubs. Rowing clubs have evolved from a shipping container in a fenced-in gravel parking lot, to multimillion dollar developments that act as the cornerstone of a community river revival.  Rowing generates consistent, predictable, and reliable returns. Rowing clubs have become an asset and a product that can be easily modified to work virtually anywhere, but work best when they find their roots in a location already comfortable with the sport. Coupled with the size and diversity, a location like the City of Chicago is fertile ground for rapid expansion of rowing, and can reach an untapped market of customers that no other competitive sport can.

The Chicago rowing and paddling communities are a fast growing, active and valuable segment of the outdoor lifestyle market. Rowing in Chicago has grown significantly in the last decade, in line with the historic growth of rowing across the East Coast of the United States. Rowing has become a proven, profitable business that can be easily expanded in Chicago. Paddling is also a fast growing sport, with tour and rental companies already starting on the Chicago River and on Lake Michigan.

Priorities of a Chicago River Boathouse

• Job creation for residents of the immediate community around the boathouse and job creation for younger, more recent college graduates from the area with a competitive rowing or paddling background.
• River access for the local community.
• Helping to protect and clean-up the Chicago River, both by advocating for the improvement of water conditions as well as leading by example, reducing the potential impact the club would have on the environment.

Contact us if you would like to get involved or are interested in
investing in a private Chicago River Boathouse.

Rowing Group Chicago River Boathouse Influences

Sculler on the back-end of Goose Island on the Chicago River

Chicago Boathouse Design from 1903

Leander Club
Henley-on-Thames, United Kingdom
http://www.leander.co.uk/

The definition of proper rowing club, one of the oldest and most accomplished clubs in the world, founded in 1818.  Opulent in its presentation, extremely focused on the competitive and successful accomplishments of its members.  All funds generated by the club go directly to fund the competitive teams at Leander.  More Olympians and World Champions have come from Leander than any other club in the world.  

Saugatuck Rowing Club
Westport, Connecticut
http://www.saugatuckrowing.com/

Redefining what rowing should be in the United States, Saugatuck is the quintessential modern New England rowing club.  Offering top of the line amenities to its members, Saugatuck caters to its members in a way known only to clubs on the Thames in England.  Operated by RowAmerica, a rowing organization that sells rowing boats, coaching, and virtually anything you would need in rowing.

Florence Rowing Club
Florence, Italy
http://www.canottierifirenze.it/

A spectacular club located in the heart of Florence, along the Arno river, in the shadow of the Ponte Vecchio.  The club, founded in 1886, is located directly under the Uffizi Gallery, and offers members rowing facilities with indoor rowing tanks, gym, boat storage, restaurant/bar and cafe, outdoor lounge area directly on the banks on the river, as well as all the amenities of a private club.  

The club also rents their facility to the public for private events.  Wedding receptions, gala dinners, and parties are held frequently at the club.  It is one of the most unique clubs in the world. It combines old world charm and tradition with a modern professionalism and service, something expected by the rowing and paddling communities.

Community Rowing, Inc.
Boston, Massachusetts
http://www.communityrowing.org/

Perfected example of a true community rowing club.  CRI has defined what a club can be by offering adaptive, competitive, and outreach rowing to the community while continuing to develop its core membership of high school and college programs. CRI was at the forefront of developing the modern boat club, capitalizing on the rapid growth of the sport of rowing in the United States.