Former Bears Player Lists Suburban Chicago Home for $5 Million

A 5,500-square-foot home on Chicago’s North Side has hit the market for $5 million.

Former Chicago Bears player Nate Davis has tapped Paul Gorney of eXp Realty to find a buyer for his five-bedroom, five-bathroom estate in East Highland Park, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The property, at 1117 Wade Street, features three fireplaces, a butler’s pantry and a family room. The primary bedroom suite boasts heated floors, a soaking tub, an oversized shower, a custom walk-in closet and a private screened porch. The lower level includes 10-foot ceilings, custom lighting, a fitness room, a bar and a game room.

Davis, who signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Bears in 2023, was released by the team in November. He is now looking to sell the residence for about $909 per square foot, more than double the $2.3 million, or $418 per square foot, he paid for the home in May 2023.

While the luxury home market in Highland Park has seen significant activity in recent years, it often comes at the cost of some price adjustments.

Recent home sales in the prestigious Chicago suburb include Michael Jordan’s 56,000-square-foot mansion, which sold to a self-storage investor for $9.5 million after sitting on the market for nearly 13 years and undergoing substantial price reductions from its original $29 million ask. Former teammate Scottie Pippen also found a buyer for his 10,000-square-foot estate following several price adjustments.

Despite the challenges in selling high-end properties, Highland Park remains a desirable location for investors.

Built in 2003 by renowned architect Michael Hershenson, Davis’ Lincoln Park home has since been overhauled to bring the property’s 2000s-era style into the modern age. He enlisted the help of interior designer Sloane Wyler and Skokie-based America’s Custom Home Builders.

In addition to a fresh coat of paint, the home was upgraded with new hardwood floors and stairs. The kitchen was transformed with custom cabinetry, a stone-topped island and state-of-the-art appliances, while bathrooms were revamped with contemporary fixtures, walk-in showers and chic tile designs.

Beyond the aesthetics, the property adjoins the iconic former Ben Rose auto pavilion, famously featured in the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Davis’ home had a 2023 property tax bill of $62,978.

— Andrew Terrell