The Greatest lived at the modest home in Louisville’s Parkland neighborhood for 14 years, during which time he learned to box, won gold at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, and turned pro.
Eventually, the Clay family moved out, and over the ensuing decades the home fell into disrepair. Then in 2015, ardent Ali fans George Bochetto, a former Pennsylvania boxing commissioner, and Jared Weiss took on the task of restoring it and turning it into a museum. The business partners spent more than a year renovating the 1,200-square-foot, two-bed, one-bath home to look just as it did when the Clay family lived there, from recreating the pink façade to painting a delicate pattern on the walls to mimic the original wallpaper. The pair also bought two neighboring homes, one of which became a welcome center and gift shop.
Today, the team is ready to pass the home to a new caretaker, whom they hope will be willing to continue the momentum they started. The home is on the market along with the neighboring properties for $1,500,000, exclusively represented by Rusty Underwood and Donna Gail Mattox of Christie’s International Real Estate Bluegrass.
The museum was open to the public for just under two years but shut down prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and has not reopened since. The restored home also has appeared in several documentaries about Ali and continues to attract a steady stream of fans, who stop in front of the building to take photos and pay tribute to Louisville’s hometown hero.
“This home is an incredibly special piece of American history and is a vital part of the legacy of one of our world’s greatest athletes,” said Underwood. “The current owners would like to see this home continue to operate as a museum, so we are hoping someone with the knowledge, passion, and financial wherewithal to preserve this international landmark comes forward to buy the property.”
"This home is just like it was when we were boys,” said Ali’s brother, Rahaman Ali. “My brother dreamed of being a boxing champion in this house – it’s truly where his enduring legacy began."
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“Muhammad Ali is an international icon, and perhaps nowhere more beloved than in his hometown of Louisville,” added Bochetto. “I believe there’s a healthy market for a museum at this site if this home finds an owner with the marketing and operational know-how to launch it.”
Muhammad Ali, who died in 2016 and is buried in Louisville, is considered one of the most significant sports figures of the 20th century and is often regarded as the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time. He was greatly impacted by his hometown of Louisville, and his legacy lives on through numerous monuments throughout the city that played a part in the fighter and activist’s life. The Muhammad Ali Center, in the heart of downtown Louisville, is arguably the most visible of these. Designed by a team including Ali himself, the Ali Center examines the champion’s life both in and out of the ring, with an innovative visitor experience and programming that carries on his lasting legacy.
To inquire about the home, contact Underwood at [email protected].
About Christie’s International Real Estate
Christie’s International Real Estate has successfully marketed high-value real estate around the world for more than 30 years. Through its invitation-only Affiliate network spanning nearly 50 countries and territories, Christie’s International Real Estate offers incomparable services to a global clientele at the luxury end of the residential property market.
About Christie’s International Real Estate Bluegrass
Christie’s International Real Estate Bluegrass is a Lexington, Ky.-based brokerage firm combining local ownership and heritage with a global brand steeped in 250 years of history. With Central Kentucky’s best REALTORS® and a powerful global platform that offers world-class marketing, industry-leading technology, and international reach, the firm is focused on providing the highest level of service and professionalism to clients at every price point.
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Archival Photos Courtesy of the Bochetto Family
