Ron DeSantis, the Republican governor of Florida and presidential candidate, currently lives in the governor’s mansion in Tallahassee, Florida, which was built in 1956 and designed by Palm Beach architect Marion Sims Wyeth. The mansion is 15,000 square feet and features 30 rooms, reception rooms, an exercise room, and a library. It also has lovely gardens, a greenhouse, swimming pool, cabana, and fountain with a manatee sculpture. Prior to living in the governor’s mansion, DeSantis owned a three-bedroom, three-bath home in Ponte Vedra Beach and a three-bedroom, two-bath abode in Palm Coast, both located in Florida. He sold his Ponte Vedra Beach home in 2019 for $460,000.
According to a report from Realtor.com, Ron DeSantis, the Republican governor of Florida, has finally announced his presidential bid, albeit with a series of tech glitches along the way. While he may not be much of a player when it comes to properties, it’s worth taking a look at where he’s dropped his bags over the years.
Currently, DeSantis lives in the governor’s mansion in Tallahassee, FL, a gorgeous Greek Revival with a stately portico that was crafted to resemble the Nashville home owned by Andrew Jackson, the seventh U.S. president. Built in 1956 and designed by Palm Beach architect Marion Sims Wyeth (who also worked on the design of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club), the mansion made the National Register of Historic Places in 2006, marking its 50th anniversary.
Governors who take up residence in the 30-room, 15,000-square-foot estate enjoy many perks, including lofty halls, reception rooms (one has a grand piano), an exercise room, and a beautiful library. Outside, there are lovely gardens, a brick patio, koi pond, greenhouse, swimming pool, cabana, and fountain with a manatee sculpture.
Before taking the helm in Tallahassee, DeSantis lived in a modest, three-bedroom, three-bath home in Ponte Vedra Beach, which is near Jacksonville. Rather petite compared to the mansion he currently enjoys, the house is about 1,700 square feet in size. Still, it has water views and looks out over a nature preserve that’s part of the Sawgrass Players Club. The home features wood floors, wide shutters, a two-car garage, and a tiny pool for cooling off in the Florida heat.
DeSantis purchased the property in 2009 for $307,000 and sold it in 2019 for $460,000. Prior to his residence in Ponte Vedra, DeSantis owned a three-bedroom, two-bath abode in Palm Coast, a bit farther south on the Atlantic Coast. Built in 1994, the lakefront property currently features a screened lanai, an updated kitchen, an open living area, and new appliances.
DeSantis’ real estate portfolio may not be as extensive as some other politicians, but it’s clear that he has a taste for both historic and modest properties. With his presidential bid now underway, it will be interesting to see where he calls home next.
