Kanye West has listed his partially demolished Malibu beach house for $53 million after abandoning ambitious renovation plans mid-project. The 4,500 square foot property, designed by famous Japanese architect Tadao Ando, has been stripped down to a concrete shell missing walls, windows, doors, and utilities.
Kanye Purchased Home in 2021 For $57 Million
West, who now goes by Ye, purchased the property in September 2021 for $57.3 million in one of the most expensive Southern California deals that year. The home, located on a pristine stretch of sand known as Little Dume Beach, was originally commissioned by entrepreneur Richard Sachs and completed in 2013.
Ye had grand visions for transforming the striking concrete and glass structure into his personal sanctuary. He hired a team to gut the interiors down to the foundation and reimagine the layout. The project came to a halt in 2022 amid Ye’s high profile divorce from Kim Kardashian, fallout from controversial remarks, and termination of business deals. With the house left as an empty shell, Ye attempted to sell it as-is the following year.
Current Listing Shows Gutted Interior and Exterior
The current listing by real estate agent Jason Oppenheim shows the skeleton of the Ando creation stripped of walls, windows, doors, lighting fixtures and utilities. Where signature floor-to-ceiling glass walls once invited ocean views, now only a concrete frame remains.
The absence of finishes allows the sculptural quality of the concrete and daring design features to take center stage. Soaring ceilings, smooth curves, an open floor plan, and cantilevered concrete slab peeking out over the sand introduce “endless possibilities” for the next owner to take on, according to Oppenheim.
However, completing Ye’s original vision to modernize and customize the home while respecting Ando’s aesthetic could require tens of millions in additional investments. This presents a unique challenge for potential buyers.
Listing Price Accounts for Partial Demolition
Industry experts project that Ye’s current $53 million asking price factors in the partial demolition and alterations made to the Ando structure. Initially, realtors predicted the home could have fetched offers over $100 million if the renovation had been completed to showcase Ye’s signature style.
In its current state, ceilings have been raised, a new skylight added, and floorplan reconfigured to create more spacious great room. With Walls, insulation, bathrooms, and kitchen missing, the next owner faces large upfront costs to make their design dreams a reality.
For a buyer willing to invest the time, money and effort to Manifest their architectural Vision, the home offers a rare opportunity along one of California’s most exclusive stretches of sand.
Local Community Reacts to Disruptive Renovation Process
While house-hunters weigh the listing’s potential, Malibu locals express relief at a long renovation process that severely impacted the surrounding area. To facilitate demolition throughout 2022, industrial equipment and materials lined the quiet street, while the drone of construction permeated typically serene beach days.
Neighbors hope a Sale removes disruptive semi trucks and allows long-delayed road repair. However, extensive construction looms necessary for any buyer to complete the property. Community members brace for more upheaval from round-the-clock crews in their oceanside oasis.
What’s Next for the Property?
All eyes look to see who snatches up the one-of-a-kind Ando concrete shell billed more as an artistic “sculpture” than a livable home. It may appeal to an arts patron or collector looking to preserve the architectural integrity over practical function. One top bidder could be Ye himself, attempting to buy back the home at a more attractive price point after failing to sell earlier this year.
But more likely, the future owner seeks to resurrect Ye’s initial vision by injecting their own style into the stripped-down structure. Realizing ambitious renovations requires deep pockets and teams of designers, engineers and construction workers committed to the complex project for years to come. This excludes most buyers from obtaining permits in the tightly regulated coastal zone.
Ultimately the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture calls the Gutted home “uninhabitable” in current condition. Its fate lies in the hands of a buyer aligned with Ye’s dramatic artistic expression who welcomes the challenge to deliver an architectural icon tailored to their taste.
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