Publications & Sites 
Former McMahon home going for twice 2009 value
The front view of Jim McMahon's former Northbrook, now owned by the Eisens, shows a stately, manor-like home. | Photo courtesy Lori Stff, Coldwell Banker
Updated: August 27, 2012 10:23AM
NORTHBROOK — Jim McMahon’s former Northbrook home is on the market at almost twice the price for which it sold in 2009.
The former Bear quarterback handed it over back then to his neighbors, Rick and Katie Eisen, for about $2.8 million. However, the Eisens are asking $5.45 million.
But now the almost 3.2-acre property at 34 Bridlewood Road boasts a mansion even more palatial than when McMahon owned it.
The Eisens, who have never lived in the home, have updated it with stonework, tile work, mill work, as well as painting and carpeting.
“The property had belonged to a close friend. We were talking about it one night when he was over at the house. It seemed like a good fit and the price was right,” Eisen said.
“But to be perfectly honest, it was only half that. I also needed something to do. I was a commodities trader and retired. I enjoy working on houses. I also loved the house, I live right across the street from it and it also seemed like a house that I, my wife and my three daughters would enjoy.”
Now that the housing market is coming back, Eisen said, he realized that this might be the time to sell one of his houses.
Eisen’s primary residence, which is half the size of McMahon’s former home, is not officially listed for sale, but several agents know that it is, Eisen noted.
And it is in the same price range that others are selling for in the neighborhood, he added.
So Eisen is hoping that it is his home that sells, so that he can move into McMahon’s former residence.
“It is almost like resort living. The house is on a large lot in a great, quiet neighborhood. It has a workout facility, a steam room, a sauna room, a racket ball court. The whole lower level is like a spa -
a fireplace, a full bar - anything that you might ask,” Eisen said.
“People can come in from the pool and go directly downstairs to use the locker room. People don’t have to be upstairs in your living quarters.”
The master bedroom suite is its own wing. It has his and hers closets, his and hers vanities, “his and hers practically everything,” as well as an elaborate fireplace, Eisen noted.
The kids’ bedrooms are in the main part of the house and in the other wing. There is an upstairs media room with a full movie screen and its own bathroom, he added.
The two-story, traditionally styled house, which was built in 1988 by the McMahons, has a total of 15,000 square feet of living space spread across five bedrooms, nine bathrooms, numerous other rooms and amenities galore. Cook County taxes in 2010 were $52,715, according to the listing.
“Comments made to me several times during the brokers’ open house, which was held July 3 and attracted 60 agents, were: ‘It is big, but it is so livable.’ ‘It is not overwhelming or imposing.’ ‘It’s got a good flow’,” Eisen said.
“It’s a classic, classic structure. Very elegant and stately, and built with quality. A guy Jim’s age at the time with the money he had might have built a white elephant that didn’t fit in and was outdated in two years. But this is a timeless house.”
The Eisens’ daughters, who range in age from 30 to 19, may not be home anymore to help fill McMahon’s former mansion, but Rick doesn’t care.
“Jim’s former house is just a great house,” he added. “I would love to end up with it.”
Lori Stiff, the real estate agent in Coldwell Banker’s Winnetka office who is showing the estate, said nothing on the market matches the house’s quality and craftsmanship.
“The photos don’t do it justice,” she added. “The house simply speaks for itself. The only thing it lacks is a lake view.”
