Kanye West Planned to Strip $57M Malibu Mansion of Everything During Kim Kardashian Divorce

The rapper wanted to turn the sprawling beachfront property into an off-grid shelter, court documents reveal.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Kanye West purchased a $57 million Malibu mansion in 2021, just seven months after his ex-wife Kim Kardashian filed for divorce. In court, West's attorney revealed that the rapper planned to strip the architecturally-significant property of everything, including electricity, toilets, fireplaces and plumbing, to turn it into an off-grid shelter for himself and his family. This plan has led to a legal battle with a construction worker who claims he went unpaid and his safety was put at risk during the extensive renovations.

Why it matters

The case highlights Kanye West's unconventional approach to real estate and his desire for a minimalist, self-sustaining lifestyle, even with a multi-million dollar property. It also sheds light on the challenges and disputes that can arise during major home renovations, especially when the owner has a specific and unorthodox vision.

The details

According to court documents, West's attorney Andrew Cherkasky told the downtown LA courtroom that the Grammy winner had wanted the seaside Malibu shelter stripped of everything, including electricity, toilets, fireplaces and plumbing. Cherkasky said West was like anyone else "dreaming of living on the Pacific Ocean" and that "most rich people buy expensive things, he wanted it to be the most minimal." The court case centers around plaintiff Tony Saxon, a construction worker who claims he went unpaid, faced unsafe working conditions, and was wrongfully terminated after being hired to manage, secure, and live in the property during its renovation. Saxon is seeking over $1 million from West, and both West and his wife Bianca Censori are expected to testify.

  • Kanye West purchased the $57 million Malibu mansion in September 2021.
  • Kim Kardashian filed for divorce from Kanye West in February 2021, just seven months before he bought the Malibu property.

The players

Kanye West

A Grammy-winning rapper who purchased a $57 million Malibu mansion in 2021, just months after his divorce from Kim Kardashian, with the intention of turning it into an off-grid shelter by stripping it of all amenities.

Kim Kardashian

Kanye West's ex-wife, who filed for divorce from the rapper in February 2021.

Tony Saxon

A construction worker who was hired by Kanye West to manage, secure, and live in the Malibu property during its renovation, and is now suing West for unpaid wages, unsafe working conditions, and wrongful termination.

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What they’re saying

“This was going to be his personal house for Ye and his family.”

— Andrew Cherkasky, Kanye West's attorney (nypost.com)

“The truth is that Tony worked as an independent contractor, unlicensed and unsafe, masquerading as a properly licensed worker.”

— Milo Yiannopoulos, Kanye West's spokesman (nypost.com)

What’s next

Both Kanye West and his wife Bianca Censori are scheduled to testify at the trial, where the court will determine the outcome of the lawsuit filed by construction worker Tony Saxon.

The takeaway

Kanye West's unconventional approach to real estate and his desire for a minimalist, off-grid lifestyle, even with a multi-million dollar property, has led to a legal dispute that highlights the challenges and disputes that can arise during major home renovations when the owner has a specific and unorthodox vision.