J
ohn Cooper, a partner at HAN Capital, bought the former Michael Jordan home in Highland Park for $9.5 million in December 2024 after the 56,000‑sq‑ft property sat on the market for more than a decade. He now plans to turn the 7.4‑acre estate into Champions Point, a Graceland‑style museum that offers an immersive, motivational experience focused on greatness.

    The Highland Park City Council heard the proposal on Monday night, when Cooper requested a zoning change to allow the site to operate as a tourism hub. The plan, which would feature “living classrooms” and aim for 300 visitors a day, drew sharp criticism from council members and residents. Opponents worried about traffic, the commercialization of a quiet neighborhood, and the effect on the adjacent Heller Nature Center, a 97‑acre park that Cooper intends to partner with.

    Proponents highlighted the museum’s educational mission. Cooper said the experience would teach visitors the “pillars of greatness” and that, although it is a for‑profit venture, it would benefit the community. He also promised charitable programming for local schools and youth nonprofits.

    The estate itself contains nine bedrooms, 16 bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen, a movie theater, a poker room, a regulation‑size indoor basketball court, a tennis court, and a swimming pool—amenities Cooper plans to open to guests.

    Jordan bought the property with his then‑wife for $2 million in 1991, the same year he won his first of six Bulls championships, and took full ownership in 2007 after his divorce. He first listed it for $29 million in 2012.

    The council has not yet voted; it will continue deliberations with reservations and has asked Cooper to refine the plan. The property remains available for short‑term rentals, according to the Champions Point website. Cooper has not yet responded to media inquiries.