The La Jolla estate that once was the home of famed children’s author Theodor Geisel (better known as Dr. Seuss) and his wife, Audrey, has new owners, one of whom also has a strong connection to children’s literature.
The approximately 5,000-square-foot house at 7301 Encelia Drive sold May 29 for $9 million, below the initial price of $9.95 million sought by the seller, UC San Diego, which obtained it via donation after the Geisels’ deaths.
The new owners are Bird Rock residents Ralph and Jodi Bratch. Jodi is no stranger to children’s books, as she owns and operates Bird Rock Bookshop at 5604 La Jolla Blvd. The store is intended for children and young adults, with a mix of classic books and book-related gifts.
The Geisel house comes with a pool and pool house on 1.51 acres offering sweeping ocean views. The Jason Barry Team of Realtors at Barry Estates handled the sale.
The estate, designed in 1950 by master architect Thomas Shepherd, “was thoughtfully built around a pre-existing Spanish Revival observation tower dating back to 1923-24, created to showcase the site’s remarkable outlook,” according to the Jason Barry Team.
As many as 42 of Theodor Geisel’s 68 published works were written at the house, including “The Cat in the Hat,” “The Lorax” and “Green Eggs and Ham.”
Jodi Bratch opened Bird Rock Bookshop in October, roughly two years after moving from Florida.
With more time on her hands and a desire to connect more deeply with her new community, Bratch got to work on launching the store.
“I felt the community had space for it and it filled a need,” Bratch told the La Jolla Light in November. “There’s a charm and an identity that Bird Rock has, and a little children’s bookstore seemed like a good fit.”
Bratch said the couple plan to ensure the integrity of Dr. Seuss’ former home with minimal remodeling indoors. Their goal, she said, is to pursue historic designation for the property and preserve what she describes as “a time capsule.”
Both the home’s tower and office have been designated as historic by the San Diego Historical Resources Board and must remain through any future renovations.
The property’s appeal, Bratch said, stems largely from its history and “spectacular views.”
Theodor Geisel lived in the house for some four decades until his death in 1991. Audrey died in 2018.
Afterward, the house was donated to UC San Diego, which put it on the market in January this year. According to the Stull Act — which regulates the sale of any surplus property owned by the University of California — certain steps had to be taken to sell the house. Sealed bids were accepted until April 15.
UCSD spokeswoman Melinda Battenberg said the property “was a gift to the university by Audrey Geisel, and the sales proceeds will go to the Geisel Fund, which will be used to benefit the university as directed by the gift agreement.”
Battenberg did not immediately elaborate on how the agreement directs the fund to be used.
UCSD previously put the house up for sale in 2022 and followed the same process. None of the bids was accepted.
The university sold two of the lots surrounding the house last year for a total of $9 million.
— La Jolla Light staff writer Ashley Mackin-Solomon contributed to this report. 
