Kanye West's extensive renovations to the Tadao Ando-designed Malibu mansion have been called “stupid” by the new owner

Kanye West's changes to a Tadao Ando-designed Malibu mansion have been called “stupid” by the property's new owner.

When the 47-year-old rapper bought the property three years ago for $57.3 million, he stripped it of the shell and prepared it for extensive renovations. According to a former project manager Tony Saxon, West planned to convert the beach house – which the rapper purchased in an off-market deal in 2021 – into “a 1910s bomb shelter.”

The idea never came to fruition as West ultimately sold the property to California-based real estate crowdfunding company Belwood Investments at a loss of $36 million. In an interview with the Los Angeles TimesBo Belmont, CEO of Belwood Investments, criticized the way the rapper gutted the house, noting that it did a disservice to the property's original architectural design.

“That was a really stupid move. Really pointless,” he told the outlet. “He single-handedly destroyed this architectural masterpiece. My goal is to make it like Kanye was never there. The house will immediately be back to the condition it was in.”

He added that West's changes did not receive approval from the city of Malibu.

“It would have required a comprehensive review,” he said. “There's a process and he does things his own way and the city of Malibu doesn't care who you are, they're going to hold you accountable.”

In an earlier statement, Belmont said the investment was part of the company's ongoing goal to “revitalize” all historically or architecturally significant properties in the area.

“This is not just a phenomenal real estate investment; It is an opportunity to revitalize and preserve an architectural gem of the famous Tadao Ando, ​​ensuring it remains a jewel of Malibu.”

He continued: “This acquisition is an example of Belwood Investments’ commitment to transforming properties with historical and architectural significance while achieving exceptional returns for our investors.”

Belmont isn't the only one upset about West's dramatic changes to the property. Former project manager Saxon sued West for “reckless disregard” for employees working on the house and “consistently violating the law in incredibly dangerous ways.” this entire project at the Malibu House.”

West reportedly asked Saxon to demolish the custom marble bathrooms, remove the custom windows, plumbing and electricity, and replace the stairs with slides. When the project manager heard his client's requests, he said he initially thought the rapper was hiring him to do an “art project” rather than a livable home.

The project manager claimed that West did not want to be a “slave” to modern conveniences and devices, nor did he want to be “accessible” to the government. According to Saxon, this meant: “No power. He just wanted plants. He just wanted candles. He just wanted battery lights. And he just wanted everything open and dark.” But his client's dream meant that seagulls would fly into the house because there were no windows, and that the rapper couldn't store food in the house because there was no refrigerator.

“We wanted to eradicate all of that and kind of build him a bat cave,” which he said he could “hide from the Clintons and the Kardashians,” Saxon said.

The project manager's lawsuit alleged violations of several labor laws, including hazardous working conditions, unpaid wages and wrongful retaliatory terminations.

The Independent has reached out to a representative for West for comment.