Kanye West allegedly demanded all toilets be ripped out of his $57 million ($A80 million) Malibu beach house to turn the architectural masterpiece into an “off-the-grid shelter”.
The 48-year-old rapper purchased the Tadao Ando-designed home for $57.3 million ($A80.6 million) in September 2021.
The musician then hired Tony Saxon, a rare-record dealer and unlicensed contractor, to gut the property, according to Realtor.
Within months, the luxury residence was reduced to a concrete shell. Windows, plumbing, and electricity were all removed.
The move sparked outrage among architecture fans who slammed the rapper for destroying the property.
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Kanye West (left) allegedly demanded that all of the toilets be ripped out of his Malibu beach house — years before he sold the gutted property to developer Bo Belmont (right). Picture: Getty Images; Belwood Investments
West, 48, purchased the Tadao Ando-designed beach dwelling for the staggering price of $US57.3 million in September 2021. Picture: Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
A lawsuit filed by Mr Saxon is now being heard in court. His lawyer, Ron Zambrano, aired bizarre allegations about West’s demands for the property.
“He wanted no toilets,” Mr Zambrano stated, according to Rolling Stone. “If people had to go No. 2, it was a hole in the ground.”
Mr Zambrano said West told his client he wanted the home to be a “modernist bunker”.
Mr Saxon claims he is owed around $US1 million ($A1.5 million) in unpaid wages and expenses. He also alleges he sustained a broken neck while working on the site.
West eventually put the gutted home on the market for $US53 million ($A74 million) in January 2024.
The Gold Digger singer failed to find a buyer at that price. He ultimately accepted a $US21 million ($A29.5 million) offer from developer Steven “Bo” Belmont, CEO of Belwood Investments.
Saxon filed a 2023 lawsuit against West, alleging that he sustained several injuries while working on the home, including a broken neck. Picture: Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
"He wanted no toilets," lawyer Ron Zambrano stated, according to Rolling Stone. Picture: Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Mr Belmont is now facing potential foreclosure. He was served with a notice of default in November 2025.
His lender, Quality Loan Service Corp, accused Belwood Investments of falling behind on mortgage payments.
The developer allegedly owed $US814,623.54 ($A1.1 million) as of November 4 2025. He was warned he risked losing the home if he failed to pay within 90 days.
West originally purchased the beach house just months after he split from his former wife, Kim Kardashian.
It was suggested by some of the rapper’s critics that he gutted the home to jab at his ex-wife.
The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star is known to be a fan of the architect’s work.
While it is unclear what state the property is currently in, recent listing images reveal the home remains a bare concrete shell.
The beach house had been stripped of all amenities, including plumbing, gas, and electric, and was also left without any windows.
Parts of this story first appeared in Realtor and was republished with permission.
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