The milestone of ten years has now been rounded. NBA legend Michael Jordan, now 60, has been looking for a new owner for his immense Chicago mansion for more than a decade. Earlier this year there were rumors of a sale, but they died a quiet death. There is no one who wants to cough up the desired sum. However, you get a lot in return…
LOOK. This is Michael Jordan’s huge mansion in Chicago
In 2012, Jordan put the estate, which is located in Illinois’ Highland Park, on the market. Originally, the basketball legend wanted to collect more than 27 million euros for his abode, but in the meantime he has already drastically reduced the price. For example, His Airness is already satisfied with less than half of that asking price, but even then there is no one who wants to take the domain of more than 28,000 square meters (of which 5,000m² habitable space) from him.
Maybe it’s because of the many references to the Michael Jordan brand? As soon as you pull into the driveway, an immense silver “23” catches your eye – a nod to the jersey number he used to give the Chicago Bulls six NBA titles. The villa also has nine luxurious bedrooms and no less than 19 bathrooms. But that’s not all.
The gate with the silver 23. © Concierge Auctions One of the nine bedrooms. © Concierge Auctions
Obviously it’s his house. It is very difficult to sell, because the new owners will have to put in a lot of work to make it a ‘home’ for them
Bruce Bowers, Realtor
Basketball was not the only sport in which Jordan turned out to be skilled. He also tried his hand at baseball as a professional player and is an avid golfer. The American also made the necessary arrangements for this. Furthermore, a splash in the swimming pool (with a grass square in the middle) is also possible and Jordan also had a tennis court built. Last but not least, there is also a gigantic fitness room, where former teammates of Jordan reportedly came to train with him.
The basketball hall. © Concierge Auctions A tennis court was also a must. © Concierge Auctions The fitness room. © Concierge Auctions
Cigar room
After effort comes relaxation, and MJ had understood that when he renovated the villa. There is a piano room and there is also the so-called ‘Great Room’, another living space where every luxury is available. Also present in the residence: a cigar room. Jordan is known to love a good cigar – he reportedly smokes about six a day. There are also numerous card tables in that room. It is known that the former basketball player was never in need of a gamble or a game of poker for big bucks, so what better place than in that room?
The piano room. © Concierge Auctions The swimming pool with a lawn in the middle. © Concierge Auctions Many card tables are also provided in this room. © Concierge Auctions The so-called ‘Great Room’. © Concierge Auctions
Jordan, who is currently worth nearly two billion euros according to Forbes, is therefore a foodie. And not only in the field of cigars. For example, he has a ‘Baghdad table’ worth about 18,000 euros as a showpiece in one of his dining rooms. A design by Ezri Tarazi, showing the capital of Iraq from the air. There is also a wine cellar, but Jordan’s favorite space would be his library. It is full of books, but film fans will also get their money’s worth thanks to the huge screen that has been installed.
The immense wine cellar. © Concierge Auctions The Baghdad dining table worth around 18,000 euros. © RV
Why so difficult?
But why can’t Jordan find a buyer? “Obviously it’s his house,” said Bruce Bowers of the Bowers Realty Group real estate firm in Illinois. “It’s very difficult to sell, because the new owners will have to put in a lot of work to make it a ‘home’ for them,” said Bowers, who is supported by colleague Janet Borden of Coldwell Banker Homes – another company specializing in luxury real estate. “It is normal that it takes longer than average to sell such a house, because there are not many people who have enough money to buy it. The most difficult thing, after such a long period on the market, is still the price,” she concludes.
Earlier this year there were rumors in the US that Jordan had found a buyer after all, but they were not confirmed. Jordan himself has been living in Florida for years with his second wife Yvette Prieto and their children.
. © Concierge Auctions
Burglar
In April, a man managed to break into the villa in Chicago. It concerned 18-year-old American Raiden Hagedorn and the police were able to catch and arrest him red-handed after a call from the neighbors. A recent video is also doing the rounds on TikTok that shows the empty villa from the inside (see below). Fans of the famous ex-basketball player have repeatedly suggested turning the villa into a museum, filled with Jordan memorabilia.
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