The owner of NBA star Michael Jordan's estate in a prestigious Chicago suburb in the US, valued at $9.5 million, has sparked outrage among neighbors with his plans to turn the house into an "immersive" museum, UNN reports, citing Realtor.com.
Details
The businessman who bought NBA star Michael Jordan's mansion has unveiled plans to transform the property into what he called an "immersive" tourist destination "focused on personal transformation."
Nebraska native John Cooper acquired the nine-bedroom, 19-bathroom mansion in Highland Park in December 2024, paying just $9.5 million for the home, which was then listed for $14.89 million.
Since then, he has made several attempts to turn the property, which he renamed Champions Point, into a lucrative source of income, initially offering it as an elite timeshare with initial bids of $1 million, and then switching to offering the elite property through Airbnb.
Now, according to ABC7, he has changed his plans again, announcing the transformation of the iconic building into a tourist attraction with "live classes" where guests can have an "immersive, multi-sensory experience aimed at personal transformation."
"The theme of the tour will be 'greatness,' and our goal is to teach people what it means to be great in life," Cooper told the Highland Park City Council during a recent meeting to discuss his proposed zoning changes for the property.
The businessman added that he wants to partner with local organizations, such as schools and charities, to offer free admission, promising that the museum will bring tremendous benefits to the surrounding area.
However, his promises of community development did little to allay the concerns of council members, who noted that Cooper's plans needed much more refinement before permission would be granted to convert the property into any commercial project. Similarly, other residents of the area expressed serious doubts about the impact of the proposed museum on their community. However, there are also those who fully support the project, praising Cooper for honoring "the legacy of a Chicago icon" and drawing attention to Highland Park.
A decision on the project has not yet been made, but Cooper has been asked to provide more detailed information about his proposal, and discussions are expected to continue.
Addition
According to real estate records, the house is still available for rent at $89,000 per month.
Cooper's plans for the museum come almost exactly a year after he finalized the deal to buy the house — marking the end of Jordan's 13-year struggle to find a buyer after he first put his massive estate up for sale for $29 million in 2012.