Kanye West Bought an Architectural Treasure Then Gave It a Violent Remix (2024)
10 hours ago
- #celebrity-real-estate
- #architecture
- #art-and-design
- Tony Saxon, a handyman from New Jersey, was hired by Bianca Censori to work on a Malibu house owned by Ye (Kanye West).
- The house was designed by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando and originally owned by Richard Sachs, featuring signature concrete construction and minimalist aesthetics.
- Ye bought the Ando-designed house for $57.3 million with plans to radically remodel it, removing amenities like kitchens, bathrooms, windows, and power to create a 'primitive futurist' space.
- Saxon led demolition work, stripping the interior, including marble walls, custom cabinetry, and structural elements, while facing challenges like lack of permits and unclear instructions.
- Ye envisioned transforming the house into a windowless, grid-disconnected refuge inspired by James Turrell's art, with ramps replacing stairs and a 'Batcave' basement shelter.
- The project stalled due to disputes, unpaid wages, and stop-work orders from Malibu authorities, leaving the house partially destroyed and exposed to the elements.
- Ye listed the gutted house for sale at $53 million (later reduced to $39 million), marketed as a 'brand-new Ando' opportunity despite extensive damage, with a lawsuit filed by Saxon over payment and injury.