Audrey Geisel University House

San Diego, United States

Freely accessible

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Overlooking Black's Beach and the Pacific Ocean in La Jolla, the Audrey Geisel University House is the chancellor's residence at UC San Diego and a National Register-listed historic site. Designed by William Lumpkins of the Santa Fe adobe revival movement, the house was completed in 1951 in Pueblo Revival style as the first residence in the La Jolla Farms neighborhood. Originally built for William H. and Ruth Black, it was acquired by the University of California in 1967 and served successive chancellors until structural concerns led to its closure in 2004. The property carries profound archaeological significance as a prehistoric Kumeyaay village site; between 1929 and 2008, the remains of 29 Kumeyaay people were discovered there. After years of community controversy over preservation, architect Ione R. Stiegler's 2010 design for a seismically retrofitted renovation was approved, respecting both the sacred land and original ocean views. The $10 million restoration, completed in 2013 and funded largely by a $3 million gift from Audrey Geisel, widow of Dr. Seuss, led to the house being renamed in her honor.