Kanye West Wanted to Move His Mom’s Actual House Into Soldier Field

Kanye West rebuilt his childhood home in the middle of Chicago’s Soldier Field for his DONDA listening experience last week.

But Ye had an even loftier plan. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, he originally wanted to move his mother’s actual house where he grew up into the stadium for the event.

But his plan was thwarted after the city denied him permission to move the abandoned structure at 7815 S. South Shore Dr.

“Moving a home in Chicago is a very technical process that requires structural engineer reports and multiple city permits,” explained Chicago’s Buildings Department. “The request to move the house at 7815 S. South Shore Dr. was denied last week because no permit application had been received to excavate and move the vacant property which is also in Demolition Court.”

So instead he erected a replica of the 1,600-square-foot home in the stadium, complete with a giant cross on top. During Thursday’s listening event, where he debuted his 10th studio album, he brought out guests including Travis Scott, DaBaby, Marilyn Manson, and Don Toliver as performers in SWAT gear circled the perimeter.

When Kanye was three years old, his mother moved from Atlanta to Chicago where they lived in the home for about eight years. The former English professor sold the house for $121,000 in 2003. The home changed hands several times throughout the years before Kanye bought it last year for $225,000. He had plans to renovate the house, which has been empty and boarded up for several years.