They paid an astonishing $200 million in cash for what is apparently the most expensive house ever sold in California – and one of the most expensive in the United States.
But social media users weren’t kind to Beyoncé and Jay-Z when they got a peek at Malibu’s mostly concrete mansion.
Although the house has beautiful views and is located near a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, fans found the square design and lack of varied materials “sterile” and “ugly.”
Others criticized the 41-year-old singer and 53-year-old rapper for paying such an overwhelming amount, even as less wealthy Americans struggle to meet their basic needs while keeping up with inflation.
“Looks like a warehouse on an industrial estate,” read a scathing comment on Twitter in response to the news.
Not big fans: Beyoncé, 41, and Jay-Z, 53, recently bought the most expensive home in California with the purchase of a $200 million building in Malibu, but social media users denounced the modernist design
Thumbs down: Although the house has a beautiful view and is located near a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, fans found the square design and lack of varied materials “sterile” and “ugly.”
The mansion has a particularly square structure and has long rectangular corridors that somewhat resemble shipping containers.
“The charm of an empty Costco distribution center,” another user quipped.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s monochromatic mansion reminded some users of even darker places.
Several people posted that it looked like a “prison,” possibly due to its angular design and lack of color.
“They could have just bought a prison because it looks identical,” one user complained.
Buying a prison might have been a cheaper option for the couple, with the same person musing that it “would have saved money too!”
A joker made light-hearted remarks about the mansion’s imposing image and lack of warmth.
“No one will catch a cold in that house, for it is barren!” they joked.
The square design and compartmentalized nature of the compound reminded one of the Minecraft video game, with deliberately blocky characters and environments.
“I could build that in Minecraft and only cost me $20 and 37 minutes of my time,” one bargain-savvy user boasted.
Tasteless? Others criticized the singer and rapper for paying such an overwhelming amount, even as less wealthy Americans struggle to pay for their basic needs while keeping up with inflation
Stunning: The mansion, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean, is also one of the most expensive homes ever built in the United States
Ouch: ‘Looks like a warehouse in an industrial estate’, read a scathing comment on Twitter in response to the news
Laugh: The mansion has a particularly square structure and has long rectangular hallways that somewhat resembled shipping containers, leading one person to call it an “empty Costco distribution center”
Carceral chic: several people posted that it looked like a ‘prison’, possibly due to the angular design and lack of color
‘Sterile’: A prankster joked about the mansion’s imposing image and lack of warmth
Boxy: The square design and compartmentalized nature of the compound reminded one of the Minecraft video game, with deliberately blocky characters and environments
Others thought the utilitarian design would make the mansion the perfect place to park some cars.
“It looks like a parking garage,” another person tweeted.
Even while some scoffed at the look of the ultra-expensive mansion, others patted Beyoncé and Jay-Z for spending so much.
‘Is the rest underground..?’ wrote one user who couldn’t see how the mansion as pictured could be worth that much.
Another person wrote: ‘200 million for that? they have been scammed imo 😭.’
Despite the huge bill, the musical couple is unlikely to be in pain after the purchase. Jay-Z has been a billionaire for years, but his net worth more than doubled recently to around $2.5 billion, according to Forbeswhile Beyoncé is believed to be worth several hundred million dollars.
The home was originally owned by esteemed art collector Bill Bell and was designed by 81-year-old Japanese architect Tadao Ando.
Ando is known for using reinforced concrete to build his houses and buildings, and the process of building them to his specifications can be lengthy and extremely expensive compared to simpler approaches.
The architect is also a favorite of Kanye West, who had previously considered buying the same house at a higher price, according to the New York Post.
However, after his recent racist and anti-Semitic remarks, which led to the cancellation of his Yeezy line with Adidas and other financial setbacks, he had to give up purchasing the property.
Useful: Others thought the utilitarian design would make the mansion the perfect place to park some cars
Where’s the rest? Even while some scoffed at the look of the ultra-expensive mansion, others patted Beyoncé and Jay-Z for spending so much. ‘Is the rest underground..?’ wrote one user who couldn’t see how the mansion as pictured could be worth that much
‘They’ve been scammed’: Others believed they had committed serious financial folly
Prestigious pedigree: The home was originally owned by esteemed art collector Bill Bell and was designed by 81-year-old Japanese architect Tadao Ando
Recognizable style: Ando is known for using reinforced concrete to build his houses and buildings, and the process of building them to his specifications can be lengthy and extremely expensive compared to simpler approaches
Some sort of deal! Prior to the celebrity couple’s interest in the Malibu mansion, it was listed for an astonishing $295 million, so the couple was able to write off nearly $100 million off the price
However, he already owns another Ando house that is only about a quarter of the size of Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s house.
Kanye’s ex-wife Kim Kardashian is also using the Pritzker Price-winning designer’s skills to build her home in Palm Desert, California.
Prior to the celebrity couple’s interest in the Malibu mansion, it was listed for an astounding $295 million, so the couple was able to write off nearly $100 million off the price.
Beyoncé and Jay’s new home has a whopping 42,000 square feet of space.