In late 2019, Kim Kardashian and Kanye “Ye” West purchased a $6.3 million plot of land in the exclusive Madison Club community in La Quinta, California — a private, luxury enclave known for its celebrity residents and world-class golf course. The couple’s vision reportedly included building a custom desert retreat, likely in the same minimalist, architectural style that defined their shared aesthetic. However, their plans shifted after their split in 2021. Now, Kim owns the undeveloped property. But aerial photos show the plot of land completely dried out.
Kim Kardashian’s La Quinta, California, land looks like a desert now
In late 2019, Kim Kardashian and then-husband Kanye “Ye” West purchased an undeveloped two-acre parcel in the prestigious Madison Club golf community in La Quinta, California, for $6.3 million. The acquisition, made through a trust, remained under their joint ownership until their divorce, at which point Kim retained full ownership of the land as part of the asset division. But she faced initial setbacks, including the City of La Quinta requesting more information and expired applications.
In October 2024, Kim filed a new permit for the land that covered “new dwellings, additions, remodels, carports, and garages,” as she planned to build a 20,310-square-foot single-family residence. However, the reality star faced challenges. According to The U.S. Sun, three La Quinta building permits listed her Initial Review and Fees Paid as “not passed” as of January 2025. She had until March 2025 to pay fees for “dust mitigation,” “erosion control,” and “precise grading plans for a custom home.”
Now, new photos from The U.S. Sun appear to show Kim’s land — and it looks completely dried out. The plot resembles that of a desert as it continues to sit without any progress toward Kim’s dream build. While she likely hoped to have this house finished by now, especially with her mother, Kris Jenner, her sister, Kourtney Kardashian, and her half-sister, Kylie Jenner, living on the same street, it doesn’t look like any progress has been made.
Kim Kardashian previously posted about the ‘dream project’ on her Instagram
Tadao Ando, the Pritzker Prize‑winning architect celebrated for his meditative, minimalist concrete designs, has become the go-to visionary for celebrities looking to build artful sanctuaries. With fewer than 20 private residences in the U.S., Ando’s work appeals to the ultra‑wealthy seeking prestige, artistry, and privacy, according to Architectural Digest. Notable among his clients are Beyoncé and Jay‑Z, who made headlines in 2023 when they paid $200 million for a sprawling Ando-designed Malibu compound. Kanye “Ye” West also acquired a striking Ando home in Malibu for around $57 million.
In August 2023, Kim Kardashian posted a series of Instagram photos with Ando, as she planned for him to craft her La Quinta home.
“Met with the master himself, Tadao Ando, to review and discuss a dream project we have been working on for the past two years,” she posted. “I visited his office in Japan so that we could make the finishing touches before we break ground. So deeply honored and incredibly humbled to have the opportunity to work with him and finally see this special project come to life.”
Many fans weren’t initially happy with the home’s design
Tadao Ando’s design for Kim Kardashian’s future La Quinta home reflects his signature minimalist philosophy, blending stark concrete forms with serene, contemplative spaces. Though the home has yet to be built, early descriptions suggest a monolithic structure carved into the desert landscape. Unfortunately, fans on Reddit were less than impressed with the initial drawings. Several fans suggested that the home design looked like an Ouija board planchette. Other fans were shocked by the apparent lack of a pool, given the Palm Springs area.
“So they’re going for the crop circle anesthetic,” one fan commented. “I like it. It will turn out really cool.”
“It’s a rotary engine!” another fan wrote.
“I was gonna say it looks like it could be the Avengers compound, but I think Ouija board people are right,” yet another fan mused.
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