The Kenzo House, a property built in Paris by Japanese fashion designer Kenzō Takada in 1993, has been listed for sale for only the third time since its construction. The house, spanning nearly 14,000 square feet and nestled within the bustling Bastille neighborhood, features a serene Japanese garden with bamboo, cherry, and maple trees, a babbling brook, and a koi pond, creating a calming atmosphere. Takada, known for his colorful and free-spirited fashion collections, passed away in 2020, and the house is now listed by Christie’s International Real Estate in conjunction with Belles Demeures de France.

Takada originally listed the house in 2007 for €12 million ($17.7 million) as part of an effort to downsize, and later in 2015 for €13.2 million ($14 million). After an extensive revamp, the current asking price is available upon request. The house was a passion project for Takada, who took inspiration from the Bangkok home of silk entrepreneur Jim Thompson, blending authentic Japanese and Western elements in the design, including antiques, contemporary designs, Oriental and Western furniture, and art.

In 2016, the house was purchased by its current owners, Olivier and Isabelle Chouvet, co-founders of The Independents, a collection of marketing agencies with luxury brands and museums among their clients. The Chouvets commissioned renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, known for designing the National Stadium for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, to renovate the Kenzo House in 2018. Kuma preserved Takada’s vision of an eclectic mix of cultures by using traditional Japanese building materials such as bamboo, ceramic, stone, and wood.

Working with architect Loïk Corre of Atelier Kiol, who had worked on Takada’s original vision, Kuma left the garden untouched but repositioned the bedrooms to face it, following the characteristic layout of Japanese homes. He also made adjustments to the interior, incorporating French oak louvers that resemble the triangular form of the Louvre museum, and adding a Japanese pavilion with shoji sliding doors and tatami mats for a tea ceremony room. Other amenities of the Kenzo House include a music room, study, studio apartments for staff, as well as reception and dining rooms.

Overall, the Kenzo House is a unique and meticulously designed property that reflects Takada’s artistic vision and his passion for blending different cultures and aesthetics.