The Gap is seeking $2 million in damages from Kanye West, also known as Ye, for alleged unapproved changes to a leased storefront that led to a fallout in their creative partnership. The retailer is being sued by Art City Center, the owner of the store building, for not restoring the building after their lease ended in 2022. However, Gap is placing the blame on Kanye, denying any wrongdoing.
Gap filed a lawsuit against Kanye in April, alleging that the artist breached their agreement by making alterations to the building without their approval. According to Radar Online, the retailer claims that Kanye’s changes were significant and caused $1.5 million in damages.
“The performance of the work not only breached the Strategic Agreement, but the manner of preparing for and performing the work caused the need for the repairs and restoration alleged in the complaint,” Gap’s lawsuit reportedly claims.
Gap doesn’t want to be responsible for the $1.5 million Art City Center demands. They say their contract with Ye made them not liable for “any claims brought due to Yeezy’s acts or commissions,” according to The Daily Mail.
After signing a one-year lease agreement on April 1, 2021, the commercial real estate company and the Gap extended their lease, which ended on March 31, 2022. The Gap was required to pay Art City Center over $104,000 in monthly rent and an extra $8,333 for parking but was not allowed to make any changes to the building without approval.
Art City Center now claims the Gap owes them approximately $822,000 in holding damages from September 2022, accruing at a rate of $164,000 per month. The retailer is also seeking $2 million in compensatory damages from Kanye West.
According to Radar Online, Kanye has not responded to the lawsuit filed by the Gap. The breach of contract occurred after Kanye ended his partnership with the retailer last fall.