Marina Pointe in Chattanooga: Riverfront Apartments with Direct Water Access
Marina Pointe is a mid-rise apartment community on the North Shore that combines river-adjacent living with walkable proximity to the Riverwalk, Hunter Museum, and downtown dining. Built around a working marina, the property caters to tenants prioritizing outdoor recreation access and short commutes to the central business district rather than suburban convenience.
What Marina Pointe actually is
Marina Pointe occupies a waterfront parcel on Chattanooga's North Shore, offering studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans within steps of the Tennessee River. The community includes a marina slip rental program alongside residential leasing, distinguishing it from inland Chattanooga apartments. Ground-level and elevated units face the water; interior corridors and mechanical spaces sit toward the street. The property sits roughly one mile northeast of the Hunter Museum and two blocks from the pedestrian Riverwalk system.
Floor plans and pricing
Floor plans range from 550 to 1,100 square feet. Studio and one-bedroom units typically start in the low-to-mid $1,200 range for base rent; two-bedroom units run $1,500 to $1,800, though actual rates fluctuate seasonally and with lease incentives. Verify current pricing directly, as apartment market rates in this North Shore corridor have shifted notably year to year. All units include water and trash in rent. Parking is assigned surface lot or covered garage; garage spots carry a monthly premium of approximately $75 to $100. A small fitness center, community room, and dog park are included in rent; no separate amenity fees apply.
How Marina Pointe compares to other Chattanooga apartments
Marina Pointe's defining advantage is direct marina access and river orientation—a feature absent from most Chattanooga residential stock. St. Elmo apartments and mid-rise complexes downtown (near the Chattanooga Convention Center) offer shorter walks to offices and restaurants but no water access and higher parking costs. Apartments in Hixson and Ooltewah provide lower rents (typically $200 to $400 less per month) and suburban quiet, but require a car for any downtown activity. North Shore competitors like Riverfront Landing offer similar water views but at a smaller scale and with fewer amenities. Choose Marina Pointe if water-based recreation, walkability to museums and the Riverwalk, and river views matter more than lowest rent or maximum square footage. Choose St. Elmo or downtown if your commute is office-centered and you want the densest restaurant and entertainment options. Choose Hixson or Ooltewah if commute time to employers outside downtown justifies the trade-off in walkability.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
Marina Pointe works well for kayakers, paddleboarders, and fishing enthusiasts; for remote workers who want a short walk to the Riverwalk for breaks; for tenants without cars or preferring to minimize driving; and for those attracted to North Shore's younger demographic and weekend foot traffic. It does not suit families seeking school-adjacent living (North Shore sits outside the cluster of well-regarded K-12 zones), tenants requiring extensive on-site parking, or those commuting regularly to Hixson, Ooltewah, or the northern suburbs. The riverfront location also means exposure to occasional flooding during heavy rain; confirm drainage history and flood insurance options before signing.
What the first visit involves
Contact the leasing office via phone or the website to schedule a tour. Tours typically last 20 to 30 minutes and cover a model unit and one vacant move-in ready unit. The leasing office is located in the central lobby. Expect questions about employment and rental history; an application fee (usually $25 to $50) is required if you proceed. Lease terms are typically 12 months. Move-in costs include first month's rent, security deposit (equal to one month's rent), and any parking fees if applicable.
Hours, parking, and logistics
The leasing office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; hours may shift seasonally. Parking is assigned upon lease signing; surface lots are free with rent, and covered garage spaces cost extra. The property sits on Marina Street, a block north of Riverside Drive, with easy access to the Riverwalk via pedestrian underpass. There is no dedicated public transit stop within the complex, though CARTA bus routes 5 and 12 run along Riverside Drive nearby. Verify parking and transit details at lease, as the North Shore waterfront area is subject to periodic road and infrastructure work.
Marina Pointe fills a specific niche in Chattanooga's rental market: it is the most accessible residential option for tenants who want the Riverwalk and river recreation without relocating outside the city, and its marina operation is unique to the North Shore.
