Chicago Bears star Eddie Jackson said he plans to become a local real estate investor after he retires from the National Football League — even if his career takes him to another team.
“I would love to retire as a Chicago Bear because Chicago is a great place to live,” Jackson told the Chicago Business Journal. “Once I am done with football and retire, real estate investing is most likely the route I will pursue.”
At age 28, Jackson, along with 12 other investors including Mark Barron, a 10-year NFL veteran who last played in 2020 as a linebacker for the Denver Broncos, was part of a $2.5 million investment pool backing Chicago-based Kinexx Modular Construction.
Kinexx is now planning another investment round in early 2023 with a $10 million goal, according to Joshua Braun, principal and CEO of Kinexx.
The general contractor company is building Harrison Row Townhomes, a $14 million affordable housing complex located at 2854 W. Harrison St., where townhomes are priced at $245,000.
“This is an affordable housing development, which is different from low-income housing,” said Braun. “We prefer the term ‘attainable housing,’ as it better reflects the market that is providing homes for. This project is focused on addressing the lack of housing stock for the working class of Chicago.”
On Sept. 13, Jackson and Barron will provide an educational tour of the new development to youths living on the city’s West Side.
“I have a genuine passion for helping people, and real estate is one way I am using to do that,” said Jackson. “The reason why I invested with Kinexx is not to make money but to give back to the community.”
For Barron, this was the first major real estate investment he made outside of personal properties, such as homes.
“Even though I live in Florida, I like what Kinexx is doing in Chicago, and I jumped at the chance to be a part that,” said Barron, who is a free agent but said he is contemplating retirement.
Jackson said he will remain a die-hard Chicagoan whether the Bears stay at Soldier Field or relocate to north suburban Arlington Heights.
The team will host a 7 p.m. community meeting Thursday in Arlington Heights to explain their plans for redeveloping the 326-acre Arlington Park, where it is expected to relocate from Soldier Field. The Bears’ lease at the Chicago stadium expires in 2033, with an option to pay $84 million to terminate it in 2027.
“That move is going to be different. We’re all just waiting to see how that is going to play out,” said Jackson. “I really like the city of Chicago, but if they move it’s cool.”
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