“Our plans are to restore this historic home, protecting the craftsmanship and priceless historic details,” J. Michael Whitted said in a text message, “while updating it with modern conveniences so a family of today can enjoy it.” 

Built in 1914 on what’s now inner Lake Shore Drive, the part that will not be renamed for Jean Baptiste Point Du Sable, the mansion “provides breathtaking, uninterrupted views of Lake Michigan,” Whitted said via text. He is the Chicago-based senior vice president, corporate development for Hillenbrand, a southeast Indiana firm that started in 1906 making caskets and now has a group of manufacturing companies. 

By the time the mansion went under contract to the Whitteds, the asking price had been reduced to $5.75 million. 

Crystal Tran, the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices agent who represented the mansion, said “we’re thrilled with the outcome” but declined to comment on the $12 million gap between the original asking price and the selling price. Max Downham, executive director of the International College of Surgeons, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Whitteds were not represented by a real estate agent. 

Max Downham, executive director of the International College of Surgeons, and Nick Rebel, executive director of the college’s U.S. section, confirmed the sale in a statement to Crain’s.

Downham said in a phone call that he feels the sale price “is a win-win for us and the buyer,” and that when the mansion first came on the market “perhaps we started with the price too high.” He said he’s pleased to see the building go back to residential use.

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