They shelled out an astounding $200 million in cash for what is apparently the most expensive home to ever sell in California — and one of the most expensive throughout the United States.
But social media users weren’t kind to Beyoncé and Jay-Z when they got a look at the mostly concrete Malibu mansion.
Although the home has a gorgeous view and sits near a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, fans found its boxy design and lack of varied materials to be ‘sterile’ and ‘ugly.’
Other criticized the 41-year-old singer and the 53-year-old rapper for paying such a jaw-dropping sum even as less wealthy Americans struggle to afford basic needs while keeping up with inflation.
‘Looks like a warehouse in an industrial park,’ read one withering comment on Twitter in response to the news.
The mansion has a particularly boxy structure, and it features long rectangular corridors that somewhat resembled shipping containers.
‘All the charm of an empty Costco distribution center,’ joked another user.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s monochrome mansion reminded some users of even darker places.
Several people posted that it resembled a ‘prison,’ possibly due to its angular design and lack of color.
‘They could have just bought a prison since it looks identical,’ complained one user.
Buying a prison might have been a cheaper option for the couple, and the same person mused that doing so would have ‘saved money too!’
One jokester made light of the mansion’s imposing image and lack of warmth.
‘Ain’t nobody gonna catch a cold in that house ’cause it is sterile!’ they joked.
The squarish design and compartmentalized nature of the compound reminded one person of the video game Minecraft, which features intentionally blocky characters and environments.
‘I could build that in Minecraft costing me only $20 and 37 mins of my time,’ bragged one bargain-minded user.
Having a laugh: The mansion has a particularly boxy structure, and it features long rectangular corridors that somewhat resembled shipping containers, leading one person to call it an ’empty Costco distribution center’
Others thought the utilitarian design would make the mansion the perfect place to park some cars.
‘It looks like a parking garage,’ tweeted another person.
Even as some mocked the ultra-expensive mansion’s appearance, others knocked Beyoncé and Jay-Z for spending so much.
‘Is the rest of it underground..?’ wrote one user who didn’t see how the mansion as depicted could be worth that much.
Another person wrote, ‘200 mil for that? they got scammed imo 😭.’
Despite the massive bill, the musical couple likely aren’t hurting after the purchase. Jay-Z has been a billionaire for years, but his net worth recently expanded by more than double to around $2.5 billion, according to Forbes, while Beyoncé is believed to be worth several hundred million dollars.
The home was originally owned by the esteemed art collector Bill Bell, and it was designed by the 81-year-old Japanese architect Tadao Ando.
Ando is famous for using reinforced concrete to construct his homes and buildings, and the process of building them to his specifications can be drawn out and particularly expensive compared to simpler approaches.
The architect is also a favorite of Kanye West, who had considered buying the same house previously at a higher price, according to the New York Post.
However, after his recent racist and antisemitic comments, which led to the cancellation of his Yeezy line with Adidas and other financial setbacks, he was forced to give up on acquiring the property.
However, he already owns another Ando home that only cost about a quarter of Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s mansion.
Kanye’s ex-wife Kim Kardashian is also using the Pritzker Price–winning designer’s skills ahead of the construction of her home in Palm Desert, California.
Prior to the celebrity couple’s interest in the Malibu mansion, it had been listed for an astounding $295 million, so the couple were able to chip away almost $100 million from the price.
Beyoncé and Jay’s new home boasts a stunning 42,000 square feet of space.