We can all officially stop complaining about the Australian property market because it’s nothing compared to what’s heading for California (and maybe even the world) if Kanye West follows through on his plan to change the way we live by creating the spaces in which we live…
Yes, Yeezy has decided he wants to get into development.
He’s officially on a Kanye quest to create a Kanye nest for all of us.
During his two-hour interview with Charlamagne tha God, West explained his desire to build his first of five properties on an all-new 300 acres of unspoiled land in Calabasas, California.
It’s not like half of Calabasas and Hidden Hills isn’t already owned by the Kardashians, but if Yeezy wants to make his mark on a block of land or two, who are we to stop him?
“I’m going to build five properties. It’s my first community, I’m getting into development. We’re standing on my first property. I’m going to be one of the biggest real-estate developers of all time, what Howard Hughes was to aircrafts and what Henry Ford was to cars, just the relationships I have with architects, my understanding of space and sacred proportions, just this new vibe, this new energy. We gonna develop cities.”
West has since put the call-out to his fans for possible collaborators.
Hmm, yes, because who doesn’t want a bunch of strangers from all over the globe working together on a project they know literally nothing about beyond the fact that it’s one of West’s many recent ideas…
we’re starting a Yeezy architecture arm called Yeezy home. We’re looking for architects and industrial designers who want to make the world better
— ye (@kanyewest) May 6, 2018
Whether this is a money-fuelled concept, an expression of art, or a slow decent from rapper to wacky-commune-cult leader (residents can all live in Yeezy-ville wearing Yeezy-ware), there is something legitimately terrifying about the idea of a Kanye created community.
Every Kanye West fan on the Internet right now.
Could this be West’s first foray into creating some kind of utopian lifestyle?
Is this an extension of his brand?
Or is this just some whacked-out idea from the guy who believes slavery was a choice?
https://twitter.com/_mikepearson/status/991423823286124544
In light of his new plans, Kanye’s general lack of focus is also somewhat troubling. He seems to jump from one idea to the next, never taking pause to actually follow through and concentrate on the ideas at hand.
One minute he’s talking about a Yeezy home brand, the next he’s teasing fans with pictures of the upgraded V2 edition of the YEEZY 700 sneaks.
So which one is it? Property or footware?
For those who want to buy into the Yeezy brand, and are happy to be sold another product masquerading as an actual lifestyle, this all might seem exciting – but if West really wanted to impact communities and change the way we live, wouldn’t he be better off focusing on building homes for those in lower-socioeconomic regions that really could use his help (or the help of any developer for that matter).
Who exactly is going to live in these communities and cities?
Will they be catered for those on a low-medium income? Or will they be designed just like West’s humble abode, which he designed with the help of his personal interior designer, Axel Vervoordt.
https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/989163475636142080
https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/989163632473686016
https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/989163803626516482
Inviting, no?
Also, let’s not be silly and forget the financial side of things.
Where is Kanye West getting all this money from?
You're gonna end up broke again at this rate, Kanye!
— Perez (@ThePerezHilton) May 6, 2018
It was only two years ago that Yeezy took to Twitter to divulge his $53 million debt.
Has that been resolved?
Whether Kanye actually follows through on his promise to build these new “cities” will remain to be seen, but in the meantime, here are just some of the qualities and skills he’ll probably need if he wants this new venture to succeed.
He’ll need to be: patient, focused, committed, and have a pretty good working knowledge of construction, contracts, development approvals, sustainability, project management, building codes, city regulations (it’s California after all and all homes need to be earthquake-proof), occupiers rights, tenancy rights, council information, real estate… OK you get the point.
Kanye has always made a big song and dance about his desire to continuously be learning…
Be careful what you wish for Yeezy.