Kanye West’s extensive alterations to a Tadao Ando-designed Malibu mansion have been criticised as “dumb” by the property’s new owner. The 47-year-old rapper purchased the property for $57.3 million three years ago and proceeded to strip it bare in preparation for significant renovations. According to former project manager Tony Saxon, West had grand plans to transform the beach house into what was described as “a bomb shelter from the 1910s”. However, these ambitious ideas did not materialise as West eventually sold the property to California-based real estate crowdfunding firm Belwood Investments, incurring a loss of $36 million in the process.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Belwood Investments CEO Bo Belmont expressed dismay at how West had gutted the home, stating that it had done a disservice to the original architectural design of the property. Belmont criticised West’s actions, labelling them as a “dumb move” that served no real purpose. He vowed to restore the mansion to its former glory, undoing the alterations made by the rapper. Belmont also highlighted that West’s modifications did not receive approval from the city of Malibu, indicating that there would have been a required review process that West chose not to adhere to.
Belmont emphasised that the acquisition of the property was part of Belwood Investments’ ongoing mission to revitalise and preserve historically and architecturally significant properties in the area. He reiterated the company’s commitment to transforming such properties while ensuring exceptional returns for investors. The CEO’s stance on restoring the mansion aligns with the sentiment shared by others who have also criticised West’s dramatic changes to the property.
Former project manager Saxon went as far as suing West for what he described as “reckless disregard” towards employees working on the project. Saxon alleged that West’s demands during the renovation project were unsafe and raised legal concerns. The rapper reportedly wanted intricate features of the mansion demolished and replaced, including custom marble bathrooms, windows, plumbing, and electricity, with unconventional elements like slides instead of stairs. Saxon described West’s vision for the property as eschewing modern amenities and opting for a cave-like environment with limited lighting and facilities.
The project manager’s lawsuit cited various violations of labour codes, citing dangerous working conditions, unpaid wages, and wrongful termination. West’s representative has been contacted for comment on these allegations. The saga of Kanye West’s alterations to the Malibu mansion serves as a cautionary tale of the clash between artistic vision and architectural preservation, with the reverberations of his choices continuing to unfold in the legal realm.