A closer look at Ken Griffin’s Chicago condo selling spree

Griffin collected Chicago condos like so many derivatives or options contracts. He has sold at least a couple of units over the past two years, and most recently listed his full-floor penthouse at 9 Walton Street on the Gold Coast at $11 million, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The billionaire looked quite committed to Chicago in 2017, when he made waves by acquiring the top four floors of the 38-story building in four separate deals. The total tab came to $59 million, and the four units joined others at the Park Tower and Waldorf Astoria in Griffin’s portfolio.

Griffin’s view of his adopted hometown — he was born in Florida—but started his company in Chicago in 1989 — began to change with the onset of the pandemic in 2020. The city saw a spike in crime downtown, as lockdowns left the streets largely open for mischief ranging from street racing to shoplifting sprees.

Griffin cited insufficient public safety in Chicago in announcing the company’s move to Miami. He never got around to moving into the four units he bought at 9 Walton, and for some time kept his condo at the Waldorf Astoria as a primary residence while in town.

The penthouse condo at 9 Walton is 7,500-square-foot top floor at 9 W. Walton for $11 million. It has two terraces, and private elevator access to a private rooftop pool.  

Emily Sachs Wong of @properties Christie’s International Real Estate and Nancy Tassone of Jameson Sotheby’s have the listing, which notes Griffin’s other three units in the building, while unlisted, are available.

Griffin has also listed a 9,000-square-foot full-floor penthouse at the 67-story Park Tower for sale, with a $15.75 million ask. He sold an 8,000-square-foot unit one floor below in the Park Tower to filmmaker George Lucas for $11.2 million last year. And sold a 7,400-square-foot unit the Waldorf Astoria for $10.225 million in 2022.

Chicago’s luxury market has seen a number of units at high-profile properties hit the market recently, including former Fortune Brands CEO Bruce Carbonari unit at the Elm and State building on the Gold Coast, listed for $10.8 million.

— Jerry Sullivan