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Who is Justin Ishbia? Chicago billionaire sparks outrage by demolishing Lake Michigan shorefront bluffs for $44M mansion

In 2020, Ishbia bought four shoreline parcels, and created a luxurious 68,000-square-foot residence with pools, clearing bluffs and vegetation

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Justin Ishbia, a billionaire from Chicago, has caused a stir in an upscale Lake Michigan neighborhood by demolishing shorefront bluffs on his property to make space for an immense $44 million mega-mansion, per the Chicago Tribune.

Ishbia, co-owner of the Phoenix Suns NBA team with his brother Mat, is actively overseeing the construction of his new home in Winnetka.

Justin Ishbia to raze Lake Michigan shorefront 'bluffs' to build $44M mansion

Ishbia, worth $2.7 billion, acquired four shoreline parcels in 2020, combining three of them to create an extravagant 68,000-square-foot residence.

The transformation of his 3.7-acre property involved clearing bluffs and removing all vegetation to fulfill his vision, which includes indoor and outdoor pools in this opulent abode.

However, the Winnetka Village Council trustees find themselves in a dilemma, debating whether to grant lakefront homeowners complete authority over their property's bluffs or to implement regulations to safeguard against irreversible erosion of the lake's edge.

On September 12, a session was convened to discuss the potential enforcement of regulations concerning "bluff steep slope" zones along Lake Michigan in Winnetka.

This upscale area, where the average home price nearly reaches $1.5 million and the average household income stands at $417,007, is at the center of this crucial decision.

Trustee Tina Dalman stated that having appropriate regulations in place could have facilitated better control over the construction.

She emphasized that the opportune moment to intervene and halt the project was when Ishbia had initially sought approval from the council to amalgamate his three properties into a single entity.

"That's where that could have been stopped if we had greater control and we didn't," she told the Chicago Tribune. "That building is being built as of right now in compliance without variances. That, I think, is the heart of the issue."

Joni Johnson, former chair of the village zoning board, shed light on the libertarian nature of the area. She revealed that in the past, the community had firmly opposed granting authorities the power to obstruct large-scale projects like the current mega-mansion undertaking. 

She argued the village now "got what it deserved". "This town is basically very libertarian. It could barely pass a leash law," she told the Daily Beast. 

Neighborhood mock Justin Ishbia over construction project

Residents in the neighborhood ridiculed the billionaire for his construction project, as reported by The Daily Beast.

One went as far as likening his intended residence to "a cathedral erected to worship greed, narcissism, and wholesale disregard for nature."

Local residents are upset about the removal of mature trees and altering the lakeside bluff for construction. They're also frustrated with the frequent presence of construction trucks speeding on local roads.

Moreover, there's concern that selling such a massive home in the future might be difficult if the billionaire decides to leave, potentially leaving the property vacant.

"This house will become the ‘Michael Jordan house’ of Winnetka in 30 years and will never be able to be resold," a resident said, referring to Jordan’s Highland Park mansion, which has been on the market for a decade.

One user wrote on Twitter, "That required permits & applications. He couldn't just hire bull dozers & rip it down. Whomever approved this ridiculous build needs attention. He will cry like a baby the first time he floods out then sue the state for approving his build below the flood line."

Another wrote, "Hey’ LIbs only give a F’ about the environment until it messes with their vista views. It’s all posing virtue signaling bullshit to them. Wake up Michigan!!!"

"Justin Ishbia’s land, the homes on it and all trees have been bulldozed along with the bluff, causing the Village Council to suspend new construction on the bluffs.....Another selfish destructive rich man destroying Lake Michigan area to show off. His wealth is harming 2 areas," added a third.

Justin Ishbia speaks up in defense

Ishbia has defended his project. "Some people don’t have all the information," he said, but "everything we are doing has been fully permitted."

His team, composed of "some of the best architects and the best builders" has worked diligently to "follow all the laws," he added.

He said, "The bluff will be restored consistent with the permits that we’ve received." He added that the bluff will not look he same "but I’m very confident it will fit into the community in a very similar way."