More grim details about the state of Ye’s gutted Malibu mansion have surfaced.
A lengthy investigation on the 47-year-old rapper’s residence was published by New Yorker on Monday, and detailed how Ye intended to “remix” the home but ended up with a ravaged house stripped of its essentials.
According to Architectural Digest, Ye reportedly attempted to transform the Tadao Ando-designed, 4000 square foot home into a minimalist architectural style, and instructed contractor Tony Saxon to remove its kitchen, bathroom, and other amenities.
“Simple fresh and cleeeeeean,” West reportedly wrote in a text in regards to the style he wanted for his home.
Ye’s 29-year-old wife Bianca Censori, whom Architectural Digest notes holds a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Melbourne, supposedly told Saxon that the rapper did not “want any of the wood to show” in the home. To achieve this, the contractor was allegedly asked to paint over shelves, cabinets, closets, and even black-and-white marble in a bathroom.
One of the renovations allegedly included converting a staircase into a foam slide. Although Saxon was not involved with that specific project, he was reportedly asked by Censori to help remove the foam itself.
Two metal chimneys were reportedly removed along with glass balustrades, windows, doors, heating, and plumbing.
Saxon also told New Yorker that he negotiated a fee of $20,000 per week but agreed to disburse additional funds to pay his colleagues and buy materials. The contractor said he felt exposed to possible intruders while sleeping on a mattress in a corner of the main floor. Saxon also briefly detailed how he had to chase out a few young Ye fans who seemed to be live-streaming.
According to TMZ, Ye bought the mansion for $57 million back in 2021. He attempted to list the property on the market for $53 million with the help of Selling Sunset star Jason Oppenheim last December. The reason behind the sale was apparently because the walls may have been too gray to his liking.
“The interior finishes have been removed, and this creates an unbelievably rare opportunity to buy a Picasso on the water with the ability to restore it to your own specific standards, with modern technology and excellence,” Oppenheim told TMZ at the time.
Months prior to the listing, Saxon filed a lawsuit against Ye for unpaid wages and damages after being allegedly fired in retaliation over safety complaints.
In April, Ye lowered the price of the home to a whopping $14 million.
