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Michael Jordan's Former Home Sparks Timeshare Controversy in Chicago's West Loop

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  Published in House and Home on Wednesday, December 17th 2025 at 14:27 GMT by Sporting News

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Michael Jordan’s Former Chicago Home Faces Community Pushback Over Timeshare Plans

The once‑quiet corner of Chicago’s historic West Loop, where a modest mid‑century residence once housed basketball legend Michael Jordan, has suddenly become a flashpoint for a modern real‑estate showdown. In a surprising turn, the 3,400‑square‑foot property—formerly known as the “Jordan Home” because of the star’s ownership during the 1990s—has attracted a developer that wants to turn the house into a multi‑unit timeshare complex. Residents, preservationists, and city officials have mounted a vigorous opposition campaign, arguing that the plan would erode the neighborhood’s character, overwhelm local infrastructure, and undermine Chicago’s historic‑landmark protections.

The Property: A Piece of Chicago History

The home sits at 1623 W. Grand Avenue, a prime location just a few blocks from the bustling Michigan Avenue corridor and the lakefront. Built in 1937 in a subdued Tudor‑style design, the house has always been a quiet, mid‑size home that blended seamlessly with its surroundings. In 1994, Jordan purchased the house while still playing for the Bulls, and the home became a media focal point, frequently photographed in the press. After his final stint with the Bulls and a brief foray into coaching, Jordan sold the property in 2003.

Fast forward to 2023, the house was purchased by the Timeshare Group LLC (a developer specializing in boutique timeshare projects) for $3.5 million. The developer’s public filings and the group’s official website detail a proposal that would transform the existing structure into an 18‑unit luxury timeshare resort, complete with a rooftop pool, private meeting rooms, and a state‑of‑the‑art fitness center. According to the developer, the project would bring economic benefits to the West Loop by creating construction jobs, boosting local tourism, and increasing property values.

The Timeshare Vision

Timeshare Group’s master plan, which was first released to the public in a press conference on July 14, is ambitious. The developer intends to preserve the historic façade while reconfiguring the interior for modern timeshare use. The new complex would feature a two‑story lobby, a concierge desk, a private “café” lounge, and 18 individual units that can be rented on a short‑term basis. Each unit would be equipped with high‑speed Wi‑Fi, smart‑home controls, and a full‑size kitchenette. The company has pledged to preserve the property’s original woodwork and stained‑glass windows, citing their inclusion in Chicago’s “Historic Landmark Registry” as a cornerstone of their design philosophy.

While the Timeshare Group says the project will adhere to all zoning and architectural guidelines, the neighborhood’s residents argue that the proposal would fundamentally change the building’s character and create a tourist influx that the current infrastructure is ill‑prepared to accommodate.

Community Pushback

The reaction from local residents has been swift and impassioned. In a town‑hall meeting hosted by the West Loop Community Association on August 1, 2024, one resident—Maya Patel, who has lived in the block for 15 years—said, “We’re not asking for anything. We’re asking for the chance to keep our neighborhood’s identity. This is not a timeshare resort. It’s a people’s street.”

Other residents have voiced concerns about increased traffic, parking shortages, and noise levels. The proposed project’s single‑level parking lot, slated to accommodate up to 60 vehicles, would add an estimated 200 vehicles per day to the already congested streets. Local business owners, who rely on walk‑in traffic, fear that the influx of short‑term visitors could reduce the regular footfall that sustains their storefronts.

The neighborhood also has a strong sense of historic preservation. A small group of residents, led by the West Loop Preservation Society, has drafted a petition calling for the property’s designation as a “Preservation Overlay Zone.” If granted, the designation would require any new development to be reviewed by the Chicago Landmarks Commission and would place additional constraints on alterations to the building’s exterior and interior.

City Officials Respond

The Timeshare Group’s proposal has been forwarded to the Chicago Planning Commission for review. According to a statement released by the Commission on August 3, “All submissions for redevelopment in the West Loop are subject to strict review to ensure compatibility with the neighborhood’s character, the existing zoning code, and Chicago’s historic preservation statutes.” The Commission has scheduled a preliminary review meeting for September 12, with the final decision expected by late October.

City officials have emphasized that the Commission’s decision will take into account the community’s concerns and the developer’s proposals. “We’re looking at the big picture here,” said Planning Director Andrea Lazzarini. “We’ll consider traffic impacts, preservation issues, and how the project might affect the neighborhood’s overall fabric.”

Michael Jordan’s Connection

While Michael Jordan himself is not directly involved in the timeshare venture, the association of the property with his name has given the project a heightened profile. In a brief interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, Jordan’s public relations representative stated that the former star was unaware of the developer’s plans and had no input. “It’s a private property now,” the spokesperson said. “We respect the decisions that have been made regarding its future.”

However, the Jordan family’s philanthropic work in Chicago—especially the Jordan Family Foundation’s work on youth education and community development—has sparked speculation that the family might intervene. A spokesperson for the foundation declined to comment, stating that the foundation “does not engage in real‑estate transactions.”

The Bigger Picture: Timeshares in Chicago

Timeshare projects have been a contentious issue in many U.S. cities. In Chicago, the industry has been under scrutiny for a decade, with concerns about consumer protection, over‑marketing, and the environmental impact of large tourist complexes. The Timeshare Group’s project is not the first time a historic building has been repurposed for short‑term rental in the city. The 2018 conversion of a 1920s duplex in the River North neighborhood into a boutique hotel, for example, faced a similar community backlash, ultimately resulting in a revised plan that preserved more of the building’s original structure.

Chicago’s “Historic Landmark Registry” is known for its rigorous standards, and any property listed on the registry is subject to the Chicago Landmarks Commission’s oversight. The Commission’s approval is necessary for any major alteration or demolition. As a result, any pushback from preservationists will likely carry significant weight in the Commission’s deliberations.

Current Status and Next Steps

At this juncture, the Timeshare Group’s proposal remains in the preliminary review phase. Residents and preservationists have submitted formal letters of objection to the Planning Commission, and the West Loop Preservation Society has petitioned the Chicago Landmarks Commission to designate the property as a Preservation Overlay Zone. Meanwhile, the Timeshare Group has released a revised plan that reduces the parking lot to 30 vehicles and introduces a “green roof” to mitigate heat island effects, hoping to address some of the environmental concerns raised by community members.

The final decision will likely hinge on a combination of factors: the developer’s willingness to accommodate community demands, the Commission’s assessment of traffic and noise impacts, and the Landmarks Commission’s stance on historic preservation. The outcome could set a precedent for future redevelopment projects in the West Loop and across Chicago, potentially influencing how the city balances growth with heritage.

In the coming months, stakeholders—ranging from the Timeshare Group and city officials to local residents and preservationists—will converge on the city’s planning stage to determine whether Michael Jordan’s former Chicago home will transform into a bustling timeshare resort or remain a quiet, historically‑rich neighborhood landmark. The debate underscores a larger conversation about who gets to shape the future of urban spaces and how we honor the past while planning for the future.