Gov Ball 2025: We heard Hozier's yell, "Heat Waves," and more
Vivid Seats is the New York Post's official ticketing partner. We may receive revenue from this partnership for sharing this content and/or when you make a purchase. Featured pricing is subject to change.
For the Northern Hemisphere, summer officially starts on June 20.
Yet, for myself and many fanatic New Yorkers (interns we love to hate and true lifers alike), the first breath of summer feels more like the day one of Queens' annual Gov Ball.
Spirits are high, the air is thick, and crowds encircle three massive stages. Strangers dance till they forget that cocktails start at $25, waiting impatiently to hear headliners like Olivia Rodrigo, Hozier, and Tyler, the Creator wail through hour-long sets under thunder and warm rain.
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There's really someone for everyone at Gov Ball, and it's all just a quick subway ride away, depending on how many people are willing to smash into the 7.
Contrary to its name, the fourteenth iteration of Governor's Ball took place in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, right beside the Unisphere — a site at which my European friend asked, 'Is this Universal Studios?'
I'm no novice to New York's music scene, but I've only lived here a couple of years, and from that, I've gathered that the pop-indie-rock-rap festival can feel more like a good-natured family reunion than a multi-day music party. Were there quite a few twelve-year-olds? Yes. Was I too cool to be there? Definitely not.
Ready to swap some head-banging for smoother swaying was no deal-breaker. We made our way to catch the final acts on Sunday: bedroom pop-girly Clairo, five-piece indie rock band Mt. Joy, Aussie-rockers Glass Animals, and of course, our new headliner that had the entire crowd hollering, Hozier.
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Luckily for us, Flushing Meadows has no shortage of options for fueling up. Ticket holders have access to five food courts and freebies, too, if you know where to look. Dunkin' was handing out throwback merch and ice-cold lattes (caffeinating highly recommended), and some spirit brands had spin-to-win deals, too.
My advice? Skip the longlines and stick to the basics. Festival food is festival food.
Now, let's get to what matters: the music.
Clairo
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No map was needed to find our first stop. Clairo's voice finds you: soft, ethereal, layered, and breathy. The only heavy side of her set is the lyrics, but you may as well forget them when you're in front of her. If Indie Goth-Girl is in this summer, she's a blueprint, floating around in a black mesh dress, mic in one hand and wine in the other. I mean, she is the aesthetic.
She made her Gov Ball debut more gracefully than others, sweeping both sides of the stage with lo-fi gems like 'Echo' and 'Bags.' The slow burn in 'Juna' offered a moment to make some sing-song intros to the band. And, still, nothing matched the dream-state of 'Sofia.' Her sets are true easy-listening, albeit more mellow than expected.
Want to see her live? You can find Clairo's complete 2025 tour calendar here.
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Mt . Joy
For more energy, all we had to do was swap stages. One of the joys of a festival is the pace of it all. Most artists are allotted an hour, just enough time to deliver their greatest hits sandwiched between some new sounds. Sometimes though, there's room for leftovers. 'Leave it to a bunch of stoners to map out an hour's worth of time, and that's what you get!' to quote Mt. Joy's lead singer Matt Quinn.
What we got was more music, and nobody was complaining. The folksy rock outfit just released their fourth studio album, 'Hope We Have Fun,' and offered a rare example of artists whose fresh music lands just as well with a crowd craving all the oldies-but-goodies. They sang those, too — belting 'Astrovan' and 'Julia' before finding some solace in 'Silver Lining.'
Cheers erupted as Quinn welcomed Gigi Perez — who has quite a few 2025 shows lined up — for 'In the Middle.' This was a crossover meant to happen. The two duet together beautifully, building hazy vocals into a moody ballad that might make you want to text your ex, and blow up both of your lives a bit. Perez is someone to watch; the same vibrato that sent 'Sailor Song' viral was just as moving in real life. It's almost a Tracy Chapman-esque tone, deep, a bit androgynous, and intensely powerful. If she's not on the next lineup, I'll protest. Politely, but still.
Mt. Joy's other items felt like a stripped-back reflection on life with a lens that lends beauty to all of it. 'Lucy' rang like an anthem amid a stream of existential questions like 'Dust to dust, what becomes of us?' — a track inspired by a friend of the band who is battling an illness. A light, loving escape came with 'Bathroom Light,' and those still craving gritty guitar riffs and rebellious Americana got a rousing cover of Wheatus' Millennial anthem 'Teenage Dirtbag.' A little musical poetry is what this band does best.
Never seen the band live? Click here to see Mt. Joy's schedule to see if they're headed to your neck of the woods.
Glass Animals
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The only thing that made leaving Mt. Joy more bearable was the promise of Glass Animals. Don't get me wrong. Hozier was the headliner here, but I was just as hyped to hear 'Heat Waves' performed live, on a hot day in the middle of June. I mean, nothing was more thematically appropriate for this late spring/early summer extravaganza than these lyrics: 'Sometimes, all I think about is you/ Late nights in the middle of June/ Heat waves been fakin' me out.' It felt made for this stage, and while it did offer a satisfying climax to their jam-packed set, I found myself more impressed with their deeper cuts and Dave Bayley's dance moves.
A standout moment came as he launched into mid-crowd for 'Gooey.' I watched Glass Animals perform the moody single a decade ago, and it still has that nostalgic quality that nips you when you least expect it. It feels a world apart from 'Tokyo Drifting' feat. Denzel Curry, which the band offers as an invitation to rave beside jolting lasers and bouncing EDM graphics. It was electric, eclectic, and a little bit sensual (I witnessed a parent cover her kids' ears.) The best of Bayley and Curry in a bit over three minutes.
There's still a bit of Glass Animals' tour left. Snag tix to see the group now.
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Hozier
Hours passed, and we were properly primed for the main act. I caught Hozier at the laid-back Forest Hills Stadium last year, and he delivered with a force. But, closing out Gov Ball is higher stakes, and even more so for someone severely under the weather. He unnececarily apologized for his illness shortly after settling in (while still managing to look like a God), then belted like he'd never felt more alive, opening with 'Nobody's Soldier,' before carving out time in his set to deliver stone-cold classics 'Someone New,' 'Like Real People Do,' and 'De Selby (Part 2).'
Of course, if anyone can perform while fighting a virus that feels 'like a shark with knees and legs,' it's the almost 7-foot Irishman who harnesses a voice my friend compares to 'Heaven's gates opening.' Like last time I saw him, his strongest moments were also the softest ones, especially when he wandered to the B-Stage for 'Unknown/Nth' and 'Cherry Wine'. For people who have speculated that he's not real, this was the proof. Raw talent requires nothing more than a mic and melting eyes.
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Hozier, as a good headliner does, took a minute (several, actually) to speak on issues close to his heart. He called for an end to imperialism, expressed support for a 'Palestine that's free from occupation,' and encouraged unity over division. During 'Nina Cried Power,' graphics of unhoused people lit up the screen, juxtaposed with charts showing the surging stock prices of Lockheed Martin. Faces froze; it was an impact you felt as much as you saw.
Just when it seemed that the only thing missing was 'Too Sweet' and the long-awaited closer 'Take Me To Church,' he gave us those, too. Breathless, but no less powerful, it was a testament to strength and solidarity, but also evidence that Governor's Ball belongs to the people, regardless of age, background, or taste. It's a fest anyone can enjoy — where music gives meaning and the stories are loud and clear.
Hozier is on the road. To see him, smash this link now.
Upcoming music festivals near NY
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Missed out on Gov Ball and want to catch a fest or three in the Tri-State these next few months?
You're in luck.
Here are just five of our favorite options for can't-miss multi-day outdoor get-downs in NY, NJ and CT in summer 2025.
2025 music festivals The Capitol Groove
June 28-29 at Bushnell Park in Hartford, CT
Bleachers, Cake, Khruangbin, Thundercat, Thee Sacred Souls Borderland Music Festival
Sept. 12-14 at Knox State Farm in East Aurora, NY
Vampire Weekend, Mt. Joy, Khruangbin, Nathaniel Rateliff, Band of Horses Sea.Hear.Now Festival
Sept. 13-14 at North Beach in Asbury Park, NJ
Hozier, Blink-182, LCD Soundsystem, Alabama Shakes, Lenny Kravitz All Things Go
Sept. 26-28 at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, NY
Lucy Dacus, Doechii, Clairo, Gigi Perez, The Marías CBGB Festival
Sept. 27 at Under The K Bridge Park in Brooklyn, NY
Iggy Pop, Sex Pistols, Jack White, Johnny Marr, The Damned
What else is coming up? Take a look at our comprehensive list of 2025 music festivals to find the one that makes the most sense for you.
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New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
Ringo Starr Radio City review: Set list, notes, where to buy tickets
Vivid Seats is the New York Post's official ticketing partner. We may receive revenue from this partnership for sharing this content and/or when you make a purchase. Featured pricing is subject to change. Seeing Ringo Starr live comes with expectations. The jovial former Beatle is one of the most famous human beings on the planet and his drumming contributed to countless all-timer 20th century anthems, ballads and oddities. To catch him in concert is to spend the whole night wondering 'will he sing my favorite song?' 'is he going to talk about John, Paul and George?' 'what will he close with?' So, when we entered Radio City Music Hall for his June 13 concert, The New York Post drew up a 'Ringo Bingo Card' (trademark pending). Here's what we guessed would go down over the next hour or two: 'Yellow Submarine' 'Hard Day's Night' clip Peace signs Reference to being knighted 'With A Little Help From My Friends' closer Beatles joke Surprise Paul appearance Drumming 'Octopus' Garden' Yet, as always, the shockingly youthful 84-year-old Rock Hall of Famer — did you know he turns 85 on July 7?! — surprised. For instance, we learned that he performs with an All Starr Band comprised of a hodgepodge of classic rockers from Toto, Men At Work, The Average White Band and more. And, best of all, he still sings and drums like it's 1967. So, to give you an idea of what actually went down at Ringo's live show, here's a full recap of the rockin', bucket list of an evening at Radio City. We hope you will enjoy the show (spoiler: he didn't play that 'Sgt. Pepper's' song). At 8 p.m. the mostly older crowd was seated. Baby Boomers nursed pricey beverages. Younger, less punctual crowd members such as myself, shuffled into our seats. Spirits were high. A Beatle was in the building. Moments later, the octogenarian ran onstage flashing peace . That was not on our 'Ringo Bingo Card.' Donning his trademark sunglasses and not looking a day over 45, the wily drummer turned frontman jogged into place — not exactly at a Mick Jagger-like pace but certainly speedy for someone who spent most of their career seated at a drum kit and happens to be in their mid-80s — and his dutiful band followed suit. They were Colin Hay of Men At Work, Steve Lukather of Toto, Average White Band's Hamish Stuart, ELO's Gregg Bissonette, Kansas' Warren Ham and Aerosmith's Buck Johnson. The seven of them launched into a jaunty rendition of The Beatles' 'Honey Don't' from the group's 1964 'Beatles For Sale.' It was a bit of an obscure choice to start the show but chronologically made sense. The bluesy number, accompanied by Ringo bassy vocals that sounded just like they did in the '64 studio version, served as a nice lead-in for what would be a relaxed evening full of comfort food rock and roll that's pleasing to the ear and soul. Once he got through the harmless, little ditty, the requisite showman addressed the crowd and asked 'who had tickets to last year's cancelled show?' The crowd roared. With that, the groovy good time continued with the muscly 1973 radio staple 'It' Don't Come Easy.' Although we hadn't ticked any boxes on our 'Ringo Bingo Card' this saxy, tambourine ditty was more than welcome and, for our money, might be the best single from Ringo's half-century long solo career. Time to take a seat As the final 'It Don't Come Easy' strings sounded, the Liverpudlian wonder took a seat behind his drums and let the 'All Starrs' take over. Like George Harrison in the Traveling Wilburys, this supergroup is full of frontmen that can take the reins and headline the show on their own. Up first was Lukather, who took us back to 1982 with the singalong 'Rosanna,' which had an epic sax solo built in. From there, the seven grandpa garage rock group All Starr Band took us on a lively hit parade. Hamish Stuart took center stage next and delivered the truly funky 'Pick Up The Pieces' that had the crowd take their toe-tapping to the next level. Some audience members didn't appreciate this — one person in my section yelled 'sit down' at my entire row — but that didn't let us ruin our fun. Ringo absolutely owning his drum solo was icing on the cake. The 'non-Ringo' portion of the evening concluded with Colin Hay. Radio City took a seat and the Aussie regaled us with vaudevillian one-liners about how he doesn't get recognized and spends his days waiting in line for medication…even though he's a Grammy winner. And then he effortlessly launched into a perfect version of the endlessly catchy 'Down Under' complete with yet another hook-y sax solo and a call-and-response for a crowd that couldn't wait to belt along with Hay. Hey, there's Ringo After that brief respite, the former Fab Four member returned to the spotlight and handled a perfectly serviceable cover of The Shirelles' 'Boys.' Starr followed it up with John Lennon's self-referential 'I'm The Greatest,' a song that always sounded like Lennon was channeling Starr (Ringo did say 'John wrote 'I Am The Greatest' and couldn't handle it but I could'). Not a highlight but a nice moment that was not on our Bingo Card. Once the song wrapped, we finally got ourselves a Ringo Bingo Card moment when Starr pretended to launch into 'Yesterday,' 'Day Tripper' and 'I Saw Her Standing There.' The crowd roared. Of course, the trickster cut things short and opted to play one of his own tunes. That tune was the chills-inducing 'Yellow Submarine.' Starr sounded better and more assured here than anywhere else over the course of the night. We were on a roll. Plus, that track knocked off our second box on the unofficial Ringo Bingo Card. Bye, Ringo Being 84 and touring can't be easy. Ringo — who has been performing for over 60 years — knows this better than anyone and is capable of pacing himself. So, he informed the crowd he was going to 'grab a cup of tea backstage' and passed the show off to Hamish Stuart once again. He launched into the crowd-pleasing Average White Band banger 'Cut The Cake' that segued into an impressive medley, which included drum snippets of Sly and the Family Stone's 'Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again' (classy touch), Queen's 'We Will Rock You,' The Beatles' 'Come Together,' Grand Funk Railroad's 'We're An American Band' and Led Zeppelin's 'Immigrant Song.' This was rock and roll nirvana capped off with a go for broke drum solo to end it all. Quite a neat trick — like watching someone play 'Rock Band' on beyond expert level. What do you know, Ringo's back As the excitable audience rose to our feet to pay our respects to Buck Johnson who pulled off the impressive percussive feat, Ringo strolled back onstage and treated us to a second consecutive nautical tune: 'Octopus' Garden.' Oh, that wall of sound harmonizing that kicks in toward the end. If you're a Beatles fan, it must be witnessed live. My hair is standing on end days later typing this review thinking about how powerful the band sounded in person. In case you missed it, Ringo released a country record this past January. To pay homage to his 21st studio album, he played just one song, the plaintive 'Look Up,' which started slow before picking up halfway through and leading to the strummy 1974 yacht rocker 'No No Song.' It's a cute trifle but also made me realize something. Did Ringo's staccato vocals pave the way for David Byrne, DEVO, The B-52s and LCD Soundsystem? Before letting my mind wander too long, Colin Hay brought me back into the present with with his sensual 'Overkill' off 1983's 'Cargo.' I can't speak for everyone in the building but my section was here for this mini Men at Work greatest hits concert folded into a Ringo show. Immediately after, it was Lukather's turn to do his thing again and tricked us before leading into 'Africa' by dropping a horrible 'experimental jazz' song. Oddly enough, the ironic fan favorite didn't get the roar it deserved. Neither did the spot-on cover of The Isley Brothers' 'Work To Do' led by Hamish Stuart. Just as it seemed the crowd was slowing — whole swaths of sections were staying seated — Ringo brought us back with 1963's skiffle-y 'I Wanna Be Your Man.' It won't make the show's 'best of' but was certainly a good time. Then, Hay kept folks on their feet with the timeless, slinky 'Who Can It Be Now.' Try listening to that one and get it out of your head. It's impossible. Toto became the main event once more right after and dropped the always welcome 'Hold The Line.' This night really was like if classic rock radio came to technicolor life by multi-instrumentalist and vocalist virtuosos. Everyone on the stage filled in where needed. It's not hard to see why Ringo recruited this lineup: they're a great team of ego-free utility men only concerned with putting on a great show. The rest of the night belonged to Ringo To close the evening, Ringo went full Paul McCartney and gave us his most frontman self. That meant an emphatic, impassioned performance of 'Photograph.' Live, the song was equal parts gorgeous and cheese. In short, it's nostalgia wrapped up into a four-minute pop song. Knowing the night was coming to a close, I consulted the always trusty Set List FM and headed to the exit here. Ya gotta beat the crowd. While ambling to the back, Ringo busted out the silly, barroom-ready, country western 'Act Naturally.' Hard not to smile through that one…nor the night's finale, the rousing 'With a Little Help From My Friends.' There was not a dry eye in the house as Starr warbled through the Just like that, my Ringo Bingo Card was complete (although we didn't get a surprise Paul appearance, 'Hard Day's Night' clip or reference to being knighted) and the perfect evening concluded with a 'Give Peace A Chance' outro. No encore necessary. Final verdict You might not believe it based on how much ink was spilled here but this show flew by. These workmanlike vets know how to put on a show for folks of all ages who want to party but also get home before 10:30. If you're a Beatles fan, make sure you see Ringo live even if 'It Don't Come Easy.' Right now, he's as sprightly as ever at almost 85 but who knows how long he'll be at this level? Pay your respects the drumming giant before it's too late. Ringo Starr tour schedule A complete calendar including all North American tour dates, venues and links to buy tickets can be found below. Bourbon and Beyond Festival This September, the former Beatle will lend his talents to the annual Louisville, KY four-day musical extravaganza. Fellow headliners on the bill this year include Phish, Jack White, Foreigner, Pat Benatar and Alabama Shakes to name just a few. Want to be there? You can grab single and multi-day Bourbon and Beyond Festival tickets here. Ringo Starr Radio City set list Based on our findings at Set List FM, here's what Ringo and co. performed at Radio City Music Hall on Friday, June 13. 01.) 'Honey Don't' (Carl Perkins cover/Beatles song) 02.) 'It Don't Come Easy' (Ringo Starr song) 03.) 'Rosanna' (Toto cover) 04.) 'Pick Up the Pieces' (Average White Band cover) 05.) 'Down Under' (Men at Work cover) 06.) 'Boys' (The Shirelles cover) 07.) 'I'm the Greatest' (John Lennon cover) 08.) 'Yellow Submarine' (The Beatles cover) 09.) 'Cut the Cake' (Average White Band cover) 10.) 'Octopus's Garden' (The Beatles cover) 11.) 'Look Up' (Ringo Starr song) 12.) 'No No Song' (Hoyt Axton song) 13.) 'Overkill' (Men at Work cover) 14.) 'Africa' (Toto cover) 15.) 'Work to Do' (The Isley Brothers cover) 16.) 'I Wanna Be Your Man' (The Beatles cover) 17.) 'Who Can It Be Now?' (Men at Work cover) 18.) 'Hold the Line' (Toto cover) 19.) 'Photograph' (Ringo Starr song) 20.) 'Act Naturally' (Johnny Russell son) 19.) 'With a Little Help From My Friends' (The Beatles cover) Ringo Starr new music 'Look Up,' Ringo's 21st studio album, hit shelves on Jan. 10, 2025. The country record is made up of 11 lively, occasionally emotional tracks that sometimes rip and sometimes tug at your heartstrings. Sure, it's a bit odd to hear a lad from Liverpool over plucky Americana but Starr makes it work. Standouts here include the earthy, stripped-down 'Breathless' (feat. bluegrass wunderkind Billy Strings), the melancholy 'Time On My Hands,' smoldering 'Rosetta,' square dance ready 'You Want Some' and syrupy sweet 'Come Back' duet with Lucius who complement Ringo beautifully. Stick around for 'Can You Hear Me Call,' too. Flashes of The Beatles can be heard if you listen closely enough. Wanna give the record a spin? You can look up 'Look Up' here. All Starr Band members Starr's All Starrs all have very impressive resumes. To make sure you're in the loop, here's who you can expect to see onstage with Ringo when you see him live next summer. Colin Hay might look and sound familiar. In addition to playing with Ringo, he also fronted the popular group Men At Work. Steve Lukather did a little bit of everything when he played with Toto. Most notably, he served as the 'Hold The Line' group's singer and guitarist. Gregg Bissonette drums. He also gets around. You may have seen him and his kit onstage with Spinal Tap, The David Lee Roth Band, or Electric Light Orchestra. Hamish Stuart was the bassist for the Average White Band. He also played alongside the Paul McCartney Band. Warren Ham has played multiple instruments for multiple iconic classic rock outfits including Kansas, Toto. He's also jammed on tour with Donna Summer and Olivia Newton-John. Buck Johnson made his bones playing with Aerosmith and acting as their keyboardist, backing vocalist and acoustic guitarist. He's also performed with the supergroup Hollywood Vampires and his country band Whiskey Falls. Classic rockers on tour in 2025 Many of your favorites from yesteryear are back at it again this year and next. Here are just six (!) of our favorite can't-miss classic rock heroes you won't want to miss live in the neat future. • Paul Simon • Neil Young • Yusuf/Cat Stevens • Jackson Browne • Stevie Nicks Not enough nostalgia for you? Check out our list of all the biggest classic rockers on tour in 2025 to find the show that makes the most sense for you. This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change
Elle
3 hours ago
- Elle
Billie Eilish Offers a Rare Look at Her Vacation Style With a Red String Bikini in Barcelona
THE RUNDOWN Billie Eilish is currently on the European leg of her Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour and took a little vacation in Barcelona ahead of her U.K. shows this July. She spent a night on the beach with friends—and gave a rare look at her vacation style in the process. The singer was filmed in the Mediterranean Sea, wearing a red string bikini. See footage here on TMZ. This isn't the first time Eilish has been seen in this style of swimwear. Last July, she shared a photo of herself in a pink string two-piece: And in June 2023, she appeared in a print string bikini top in her friend Annabel Zimmer's Instagram. This April, Eilish answered questions from celebrities for British Vogue. Nicki Minaj asked Eilish about how she views herself, prompting Eilish to reflect candidly on her appearance. 'This may be an odd question, but you seem to be a bit uncomfortable with how beautiful you are at times,' Minaj said. 'I could be wrong. Many women from all walks of life have felt that their work was overshadowed by their beauty or their physical attributes. Was there ever a time in your career, or before you made it, when you wished people couldn't see you and that they could only hear the music, and really get a chance to just listen to the written words?' 'Nicki, this question made me tear up a little,' Eilish admitted. 'Well…like you said at the beginning of that question, I've never really felt very beautiful or seen myself in that way, so I definitely never struggled with the idea that it would overshadow anything, since I didn't even really see it myself. I've had to really convince myself that I am beautiful. Being a woman is hard.' She also spoke about how she unwinds while answering a question from Ariana Grande. 'I realized recently that I think my favorite thing in the world is to hangout,' she said with a laugh. 'Like, I just love being around people that I love, people that make me laugh and make me feel whole. You know: kindred souls. That's the stuff that keeps me sane. Laughing really is my cure.'
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Another of Mohamed Hadid's Failed Mansion Projects Heads to Auction Block—a Year After Developer Filed for Bankruptcy
The developer father of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid will see another of his beleaguered mansion projects put up for auction later this year—just weeks after it was announced that his so-called 'Starship Enterprise' property in Bel-Air was set to go under the hammer. , 76, has long been known for building some of Los Angeles' and Beverly Hills' most opulent properties; however, his yearslong run as a leader in the industry has hit a hefty hurdle in recent years amid stalled construction, ongoing legal woes and bankruptcy filings. Now, one of his unfinished projects in Beverly Hills will be sold off to the highest bidder, just over one year after the limited liability company through which Hadid financed the construction filed for Chapter 11, claiming that it had been the victim of 'predatory lending.' The stalled project, which is situated in Beverly Hills' exclusive Bella Vista Estates, along with 'recently reconsidered' architectural plans for its development, will hit the auction block on Sept. 23, with a sealed bid deadline of Sept. 16. In a press release shared with Keen-Summit Capital Partners real estate brokerage revealed that the new plans for the 3.2-acre lot envision a 25,000-square-foot abode that includes a theater, gym with a spa, an 11-car garage, staff suites, and a wraparound pool. 'Grading and foundation work are already underway, making this a rare, shovel-ready opportunity in one of L.A.'s most coveted enclaves,' the press release added. The auction comes, the statement noted, after the current owner, Hadid's company Tree Lane LLC, filed for bankruptcy protection in April 2024, news that was first reported by the New York Post. 'The guarded community of Bella Vista Estates is truly one of the most private, secure and prestigious enclaves in Los Angeles,' Keen-Summit Capital Partners' principal and co-president Harold Bordwin said in a statement. 'Overlooking Beverly Hills, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to build a stunning estate, starting with an architectural design recently reconsidered by the AD 100 architects at Woods + Dangaran. With gorgeous architectural plans, grading underway, and panoramic views, this site is ready for a visionary buyer to bring a luxury estate to life quickly.' News of the auction comes just over a year after Hadid insisted that he had been the victim of 'predatory lending' at the hands of fellow developer Zach Vella, whose company, Skylark Capital, provided his LLC with a $31 million loan to finance the development of the Bella Vista dwelling. 'I believe I was a victim and now I have to fight my fight,' Hadid told the New York Post. 'They gave us enough money to hang ourselves and then they stopped funding.' His claims came two years after Vella's company sued Hadid's LLC over the Bella Vista property, which had, at the time, been undeveloped for four years—with Skylark Capital accusing Hadid of 'outright theft' and 'fraud,' the Post reported. However, this isn't the first time one of Hadid's failed abodes has hit the auction block. Just weeks ago, it was revealed that his planned $50 million Los Angeles mansion was going on auction with an opening bid of $7.9 million—after he was forced to demolish the structure because it violated building regulations. That 1.2-acre site is being sold off by Paul Ventura's Sahara Construction in a sealed auction that will end July 15, according to its listing, which is held by Compass's Tracy Tutor and Premiere Estates Auction Company's Todd Wohl. But while the first few listing photos reveal renderings of a stunning hillside home, all that remains of Hadid's former mansion is a foundation and a few slabs of concrete—along with planning approval to build an opulent dwelling that spans up to 15,000 square feet. The listing, which was first reported by The Real Deal, also notes that, while bids are set to start at $7.9 million, there is no reserve on the property, which means that it will sell to the highest bidder, regardless of whether that opening bid price is reached. Despite the torrid history of the home that once sat on the land, the listing describes the property as a 'rare and exceptional development opportunity' to hold space in one of 'Los Angeles' most prestigious and desirable neighborhoods.' The vacant lot is situated at the end of a cul-de-sac and offers residents complete privacy, sweeping canyon views, and a 'foundation to build a world-class custom estate,' according to the listing. Hadid began construction on his own property on the plot back in 2012, laying the groundwork for a home that would ultimately span 30,000 square feet—double the size that planning permits allowed for on the plot. The initial work on the dwelling revealed the floor plan to be so vast that the home was nicknamed the 'Starship Enterprise' by horrified neighbors, who quickly voiced upset over the dwelling's expansive size. By 2015, the size of the home became the focal point of a furious legal dispute, when the City of Los Angeles prosecuted Hadid for refusing to adhere to the halt work orders that had been issued on the property. Three years later, Hadid had yet to downsize the property, prompting his neighbors to file a civil lawsuit against him, raising fears that the mansion could slide down from hits perch on the hillside and cause major damage to the entire community. The lawsuit claimed that the home had been illegally built, was not up to code, and that it was unstable, with a structural engineer testifying in court that the home's support piles had only been driven 20 feet into the ground, instead of the 30 feet that is required by building regulations. In 2019, a judge ordered Hadid to tear down the property, stating that the dwelling posed 'a clear and present' threat to his neighbors. 'If this house came down the hill it would take a portion of the neighborhood with it,' Judge Craig Karlan said of his ruling, according to the New York Post. Hadid made multiple attempts to appeal the ruling—and in 2019, he even filed for bankruptcy on behalf of the LLC through which he purchased the plot, claiming that his company was facing between $10 and $50 million in debt because of the construction costs involved in the failed project. In 2021, he opted to sell the property to Sahara Construction for $8.5 million, rather than pay the $5 million required to safely demolish the home—a cost that the buyer agreed to cover. The construction firm then took out an $8 million loan from Northern Bank & Trust Company in 2023 and completed the requirements to stabilize the slope. Things went from bad to worse for Hadid when he was ordered to pay a lump sum of $2.6 million toward his neighbors' legal costs in 2023. Buying a House Is the Second Most Important Financial Goal for Gen Z—the No. 1 Goal Is Why It's Out Of Reach Investors Are Selling a Record Share of Homes To Cut Their Losses—Especially in These 5 States First-Time Homebuyers Say This Is Their Biggest Regret After Closing on a House
