When Ronald and Nancy Reagan left the White House in early 1989, they didn't just fade into the background. They headed straight for 668 St. Cloud Road. It was a 7,200-square-foot ranch-style house nestled in the elite "Old Bel Air" section of Los Angeles. Most people assume a former President would move into a sprawling, gold-plated palace. This place was different. It was elegant, sure, but Nancy famously described it as "deceiving" because it looked so small from the street.
The story of the ronald reagan house bel air is actually kinda wild when you look at the logistics. They didn't even buy it themselves at first. A group of wealthy friends, often called Reagan's "kitchen cabinet," chipped in $2.5 million back in 1986 to secure the property. We’re talking about big names like Holmes Tuttle and Earle Jorgensen. The deal was basically a lease with an option to buy, which the Reagans eventually exercised using the massive advances from their memoirs.
The Mystery of the Missing 666
There is a famous bit of trivia that isn't just a legend—it's 100% true. The original address of the home was 666 St. Cloud Road.
Nancy Reagan, who was famously superstitious and consulted an astrologer during her husband's presidency, wasn't having it. She didn't want the "Number of the Beast" attached to her final home. She successfully lobbied the city to change the number.
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And just like that, 666 became 668.
The house itself sat on about 1.25 acres. It was a mid-century modern gem built in 1954, but Nancy had it totally reimagined. She brought in Peter Schifando, a protégé of the legendary Ted Graber, to handle the interiors. If you ever saw photos of the inside, it was a total vibe: a mix of "soft modern" lines with heavy hits of Chinoiserie, fine antiques, and traditional Hollywood Regency furniture.
Inside the Reagan Retirement Life
Life at the ronald reagan house bel air was remarkably quiet compared to the 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue days.
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The couple spent a lot of time in the library. It was filled with leather-bound books and memorabilia from their acting days. Ronald Reagan had a personal office in Century City, but as his health declined following his 1994 Alzheimer’s announcement, the St. Cloud house became his entire world.
- The Layout: Three bedrooms, six bathrooms, and 17 rooms in total.
- The Grounds: Lined with bougainvillea and yellow orchids Nancy grew herself.
- The Secret Service: They occupied a gatehouse at the entrance, the only part of the estate really visible to passersby.
Honestly, the house was a sanctuary. It wasn't just a status symbol; it was the place where the "Great Communicator" spent his final decade. When he passed away there in 2004 at the age of 93, the world’s eyes turned to that gated driveway. Nancy stayed there for another 12 years, maintaining the house exactly as it was until her own passing in 2016.
Why the House No Longer Exists
This is the part that bums out a lot of history buffs. You can't go visit the ronald reagan house bel air today.
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Well, you can visit the dirt it sat on, but the house is gone. Shortly after Nancy died in 2016, the estate was sold for $15 million. The buyer was billionaire Jerry Perenchio, the former head of Univision and a longtime friend of the Reagans. Perenchio already owned the massive "Chartwell" estate nearby—the one used as the house in The Beverly Hillbillies.
He didn't buy it for the history. He bought it for the land.
By 2020, the Reagan house was completely demolished. It was a brutal end for a piece of American history, but that’s just how real estate works in Bel Air. Properties are often viewed as "teardowns" regardless of who lived in them. Most of the Reagans' personal belongings, including the famous red needlespoint pillows and the "RWR" monogrammed china, were auctioned off by Christie’s, raising over $5 million for their foundation.
Actionable Insights for History and Real Estate Fans
If you're looking for the Reagan legacy in California, the St. Cloud house is a ghost, but you can still find the real thing elsewhere.
- Visit the Reagan Library in Simi Valley: They have recreated the West Wing and even have the Air Force One Ronald used. It’s the best way to see the actual furniture and decor that Nancy moved from Bel Air to the museum.
- Explore Rancho del Cielo: This was their "Ranch in the Sky" near Santa Barbara. Unlike the Bel Air house, this one was preserved exactly as it was by the Young America's Foundation.
- Check Auction Records: If you want to see the specific interior style of the ronald reagan house bel air, look up the Christie’s 2016 "The Private Collection of President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan" catalog. It’s a masterclass in 80s and 90s high-society decor.
The house might be gone, but the stories of the 666-to-668 change and the quiet years on St. Cloud Road remain a staple of Los Angeles lore. It was a home that perfectly reflected the couple: private, meticulously styled, and deeply rooted in the California sunshine they loved.