As a vacation home or yearround residence, this magnificent mountain estate in Tahoe’s beautiful Emerald Bay area provides the perfect setting for those who want to retreat for a few weeks, or for those who want to reside in or even retire to a quiet and serene lakefront property.
The location is pristine, just like the deep blue waters of Tahoe and its smaller neighbor, Cascade Lake.
The mountain Craftsman home is one of 17 in a private enclave on the south side of Emerald Bay, an area accessible via a series of switchback turns that leads to a gated entry to the exclusive community.
The route to the home, once just a dirt road, is now paved, yet still is unknown to many. It is one of the few areas where access to the front door is as quiet as the lakefront, says Darin Vicknair of Oliver Luxury Real Estate, South Lake Tahoe. Construction of the 6,100-square-foot home, which sits on a lot approximately one and a half acres in size, began in 2001 and was completed in 2003. The builder and current owner, John Schue, who has offices in South Lake Tahoe, lives there with his wife when they are not traveling or in their second home in Cabo San Lucas. Schue, who enjoys tournament fishing and motorcycling, has several custom homes under construction around the lake at Tahoe, as well as oceanfront homes in Cabo.
The exterior and interior of the Tahoe home features rustic log and natural stonework that blends beautifully with the thick forest setting. A heated driveway leads to a separate, oversized three-car garage at the street level. One of the two elevators in the home carries passengers from the driveway down to the 800-square-foot guest suite and out to a landscaped path and to the front entry. The second elevator opens on the top level of the home – the entry, kitchen, master bedroom, great room, two other bedrooms, the media room, office and laundry. A full bar, game room and another bedroom are on the bottom floor.
The estate has five fireplaces, five bedrooms, five baths, three jetted tubs, two steam showers, central heat and two back-up generators.
Entry to the home is via a large foyer with a nautical star in the floor tile. It leads to a massive cathedral room with a ceiling that reaches 28 feet high that highlights a dramatic rock wall of Sierra granite. A fireplace adds warmth in the winter while the windows offer spectacular views of Lake Tahoe.
The well-appointed gourmet kitchen has black and green granite countertops, double ovens, a warming drawer, professional range, microwave and dishwasher. A built-in wine rack holds 30 to 40 bottles.
With Tahoe’s comfortable clime, residents enjoy months of outdoor entertaining. The large, outdoor lakeside kitchen features a barbecue, warming tray and refrigerator, while the nearby patio has a fireplace and hot tub.
Colors in the home are primarily neutral, with custom faux walls with tan hues. Rustic, mountain-style furnishings are mainly Native American.
Multiple decks take advantage of the sweeping views of Lake Tahoe, South Shore, Camp Richardson, Heavenly Valley and Freel
Peak, and up the East Shore to Glenbrook and beyond. The decks are located off the master bedroom suite, the great room, office and game room. The kitchen deck overlooks the front yard.
A spiral staircase leads to the lake and a 110-foot pier with 6,500-pound capacity boatlift, adjustable catwalk and two mooring buoys. The home’s lake frontage stretches approximately 100 feet.
Residents enjoy unbeatable access to all the recreational amenities that the Lake Tahoe area offers: skiing, snowboarding, boating, fishing, hiking, bicycling and horseback riding in the High Sierra backcountry, as well as shopping, restaurants and entertainment at the nearby casinos.
Whether the estate is a permanent residence or a second home, it offers spectacular scenery, a peaceful setting and a perfect place to relax and enjoy the lake.
This Tahoe estate currently is on the market for $8.4 million.
