Inside Norn: The military-style 90m Lürssen superyacht drawing attention in Chesapeake Bay

The 90-metre Lürssen superyacht Norn – designed by Espen Øino, reportedly for Microsoft tech mogul Charles Simonyi – is drawing attention after being spotted in Chesapeake Bay, Norfolk, Virginia. Delivered in 2023 as the successor to his iconic yacht Skat, Norn pairs a distinctive, militaristic design with standout features including a transformable pool dancefloor and advanced positioning systems. BOAT explores her most interesting facts...

1. She’s a 90m Lürssen build with serious pedigree

Delivered in May 2023, Norn (formerly Project 1601) was built by German shipyard Lürssen for an experienced owner. The yacht departed the yard’s facilities at the end of April before heading into Norwegian waters on her maiden voyage. She follows a successful lineage, with the same owner previously commissioning a 70-metre Lürssen (explored in the following point), suggesting a continuation of a well-established design vision and build partnership.

2. She builds on the legacy of Skat and her tech owner

Norn is widely considered the successor to the 70.7-metre Lürssen yacht Skat, delivered in 2002 for Microsoft billionaire Charles Simonyi. One of Espen Øino’s earliest and most unconventional designs, Skat was noted for her militaristic exterior and expansive windows, inspired by the owner’s contemporary home near Seattle. Her colourful, minimalist interior by Marco Zanini was designed to showcase modern art while doubling as a functional workspace. Simonyi sold Skat in 2021 ahead of taking delivery of Norn, positioning the 90-metre yacht as a natural evolution of the same bold, design-led vision.

3. Her robust design hails from Espen Øino

Norn’s exterior – with its clean, sharp lines and flat surfaces – is the work of renowned designer Espen Øino, known for some of the world’s most recognisable superyachts. Most notably, her angular, utilitarian aesthetic is defined by a reverse bow, narrow rectangular windows and greenhouse-style glazing on the upper deck. The design shares clear DNA with the 70.7-metre Skat, another Øino-Lürssen collaboration, giving Norn a purposeful, almost naval appearance that sets her apart from more traditional superyachts.

4. Her interiors continue the bold exterior theme

Inside, Norn was styled by Dö lker + Voges, with a design language that mirrors the strong architectural feel of her exterior. 

While details remain tightly under wraps, the designers left plenty of room for fun features, including:

• An al fresco cinema for open-air viewing
• A main deck pool with a transparent rim
• A changeable-depth pool floor that transforms into a dancefloor.

5. She’s already made notable appearances across Europe

Shortly after delivery, Norn travelled through Sweden, stopping in Helsingborg before arriving in London in June 2023. During her visit, BOAT spotted her anchored in front of Tower Bridge – a rare and eye-catching sight that further boosted her profile among enthusiasts and the general public. 

Now, yacht spotters have sighted her in the U.S. – specifically Chesapeake Bay, Norfolk, Virginia – posting images of her on sites like Reddit and Instagram.

6. Her build journey began in 2019

According to BOATPro, construction on the yacht began in October 2019, but the first glimpse of Norn came in May 2020 when her hull was launched in Rendsburg, Germany. Even in its early stages, her bold design stood out, described by the yard as “a striking design with extraordinary features.” She officially hit the water in February 2023, ahead of her delivery just a few months later.