Pier 32 Marina

Pier 32 Marina is the first new marina developed on San Diego Bay in the many years, marking a major milestone in revitalizing the waterfront for National City. Situated along a newly dredged yacht basin accommodating 250 boat slips, the marina features two main buildings connected by pedestrian bridges and a stair tower. These structures provide essential support services for boaters, including locker rooms, showers, an exercise room, dry and heated storage, a laundry facility, a boater’s lounge, and a community conference room. Additional amenities include a grocery/deli tenant space, open office areas for marina management, and a residential unit for rental or use by on-site staff. The 9,125-square-foot development also enhances the public realm with a pedestrian promenade that extends along the riprap and links the marina to the new National City Aquatic Center.

The architectural character of Pier 32 is defined by its expressive post-and-beam construction, using exposed glulam columns and beams, car decking at ceilings, and prominently displayed bolted steel plate connections. These mass timber elements bring warmth and craft to the marina experience, echoing the maritime heritage of the bay. The building’s shed roof forms are extruded along a linear plan, with a raised clerestory roof monitor introducing natural light and volume to the interiors. Durable cement-board siding is used at the base, while ship-lap cedar siding on the upper levels adds richness and texture. Standing-seam metal roofing and expansive overhead doors complete the palette, allowing interior spaces to seamlessly open to outdoor terraces and the waterfront promenade.