McHugh Construction announces it has begun construction of the 48,000-square-foot space that will house FlyOver, a new flight ride attraction at Chicago’s Navy Pier.
Expected to open Spring 2024, FlyOver replaces Navy Pier’s longtime IMAX theater, located near the Centennial Wheel on the west end of the pier. McHugh began demolition of the existing space in June 2022 in preparation for building out the 60-foot-high, 80-foot-wide space.
Once completed, the immersive attraction will provide guests with the feeling of flight as they hang suspended from moving seats with their feet dangling below. Exclusive flight ride films projected on a 65-foot wrap-around screen will showcase Chicago as well as iconic landscapes from around the globe as riders enjoy a full multi-sensory experience, complete with mist, wind and scents.
FlyOver, from global attractions and hospitality company Pursuit, will be the first ride of its kind in Chicago. The experience will be based on similar FlyOver attractions from Pursuit located in Las Vegas, Canada and Iceland.
Pursuit initially hired McHugh to perform a feasibility study for the demolition of the IMAX Theater as well as the construction of the new attraction. Following the study, Pursuit signed a lease for the space, selected Chicago-based Epstein as the architect, and hired McHugh as the project’s construction manager.
The FlyOver project, with estimated construction costs of $13 million, will support approximately 250 jobs.
