A Legacy for Today’s Pioneer: Tahoe’s Most Rare and Grand Offerings In History

Never before has such a grand combination of iconic ranch, lakefront and forestland been offered for sale at once in Lake Tahoe’s rich history. This rare offering includes: historic Shakespeare Ranch with 133 acres of lakefront ranchland; Squaw Valley Homestead, arguably the most coveted landholding in Squaw Valley; and High Canyon Ranch, encompassing 321 acres of one of the last remaining privately owned large acreage parcels in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

From the oldest settlement at Lake Tahoe to Squaw Valley’s colorful past, these three significant land holdings are intrinsically tied to the earliest western settlers and visionaries at Lake Tahoe, and offer boundless opportunities for recreation and wonderment in this pristine alpine environment. With over 485 acres and 423 feet of shoreline in composite, these landmark holdings embody the pillars of Lake Tahoe’s greatness - sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, alpine meadows, wooded forestland, backcountry recreation and Olympic heritage. “These properties are all so uniquely exquisite on their own merits,” says Peter Strand, President of Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty, the company representing all three properties. “With so much historical significance, the buyers will become the intrinsic stewards of Tahoe’s past and future.”

Shakespeare Ranch, Glenbrook, Nevada
This Landmark Tahoe lakefront Ranch has traded hands only twice since 1861. Offered at $98 Million, no other land holding on the shores of Lake Tahoe can imitate the image, location and natural features of the historic Shakespeare Ranch. The property encompasses fields and streams, forest and mountains, sandy beaches and crystal waters. Shakespeare boasts some of Lake Tahoe’s most accessible, yet unspoiled shoreline with hidden coves and boulder bays alongside well-provisioned harbors, all waiting to be explored. Mark Twain best describes the four season splendor found here as, "The fairest picture the whole earth affords."

"The first settlers came to play on these crystal shores and snow capped peaks 150 years ago," remarks Lexi Cerretti, an avid sailor and co-listing agent. "The seasons are what make Lake Tahoe so unique. Where else can you enjoy spring skiing and an evening boat ride to your favorite lakeside restaurant, all in a day?"

Property highlights of this 133-acre assemblage include over 400 feet of Lake Tahoe’s most desirable shoreline, a 397-foot shared pier with boatlift, five boat buoys, and nearly 40,000 square feet of improvements. There are 17 guest homes and cabins featuring 25 bedrooms centered around a courtyard with gazebo, and plans for a new approximately 9,500-square-foot home. There is a grand indoor pool with fireside dining and outdoor spa, a daylight wine tasting cellar, an office suite and gym, an art room, a catering area, and event bathrooms. The ranch would not be complete without its horse stables with paddocks, a green house, vegetable gardens, animal enclosures, and rodeo grounds with pens and bleachers, all flanked by the iconic Shakespeare Rock included in the estate, a backdrop for this awe inspiring hamlet.

The annual "Glenbrook Rodeo" held on the Ranch is a tradition dating back to the 1940's. The popular event was revived by the current owners in 2000, featuring bull and bronco riding, ribbon roping and barrel racing. In addition to the rodeo, there are carnival games and a silent auction followed by an extraordinary dinner prepared by restaurateur Emeril Lagasse. Past headliners including Robin Williams, Jay Leno, Lionel Richie, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Kenny Loggins and the band America have performed in the 5,000-square-foot entertainment barn. Built in 1873, the barn has been restored with a chef's kitchen and glass wine room. “They don’t make barns like this in Texas,” President Bush told the owners when he visited the Ranch one summer.

Offering a preeminent, year-round lifestyle combined with Nevada tax benefits, Shakespeare Ranch is just four hours from San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley, and under an hour by air. "This significant landholding on the shores of Lake Tahoe can never be replicated," states Claudia Thompson, long time Glenbrook resident and co-listing agent. "Shakespeare Ranch is truly a place to set down roots and to leave a legacy."

More details about this historic landmark are available at TahoeLegacy.com.

High Canyon Ranch, Lake Tahoe, Nevada
One of the last remaining privately owned large acreage parcels in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is being offered for sale for the first time in modern history. Perched high above Lake Tahoe, adjacent to Marlette Lake, 321 acres of pristine high mountain meadows, forest and timeless backcountry offer a remote retreat with panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and Carson Valley from the top of the world.

This historic location was once a working cattle ranch bolstered by the cool mountain summers and land to graze. The four contiguous parcels are surrounded by hundreds of acres of Federal and State owned lands, offering boundless recreational opportunities including canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, to name a few. Access has been provided via backcountry permit previously through Spooner Lake State Park and is currently under review.

With a list price of $20 Million, this seemingly endless open space is bound only by the horizon and deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe below. World Class amenities around Lake Tahoe to the West include skiing, gaming, boating, golf and water sports. These parcels are outside the boundary of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and lay within the jurisdiction of Carson City, providing for limited development opportunities with Conservation Reserve zoning and approximately one unit per 20 acres density, eco -resort, ranching and equestrian allowable uses. With easy access to the renown Tahoe Rim Trail, this landmark offering is a four-season wilderness destination with mountain living at its finest.

"The High Canyon Ranch is rich in Lake Tahoe cattle ranching history and is now a very rare low impact development opportunity," says Vince Scott of Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty. “This one-of-a -kind assemblage of high country meadows, streams and ridges overlooking Marlette Lake with mountaintop views of Lake Tahoe is absolutely stunning."

Squaw Valley Homestead, Olympic Valley, California
Introducing the most coveted landholding in Squaw Valley, the 29.6-acre Homestead site, has been lovingly held and protected by the Valley's founding family since the 1940's. The historic Squaw Valley Homestead Ranch is a rare opportunity for discovery, inspiration and stewardship. Offering mixed zoning – with multiple development sites, opportunities for conservation, and numerous options for the creation of a new residence for the owner – the Homestead site provides an unrivaled opportunity to define and craft the last remaining significant property in the heart of Squaw Valley.

The property includes the 5,435 square foot, 4-bedroom, 4.5 bath custom-crafted home of Squaw Valley co-founder Wayne Poulsen. With all of the land in Squaw Valley to choose from, it is this property that he chose – with its spectacular mountain views surrounding the land in all directions. The ranch is a mix of open meadows lush with grasses and wildflowers, dense stands of pine, and groves of aspen trees. Steeped in the history of the valley, and part of Poulsen's original 1943, 640-acre purchase from the Southern Pacific Railroad, it was here that he spent early summers homesteading on the property in a tent along Squaw Creek and where his dream to bring a world class ski resort to Tahoe was born. Poulsen later went on to initiate a successful battle with the State of California to protect the valley floor from being ravaged by the over-development that came with the Olympic games. Using all their personal resources, Wayne and Sandy single-handedly blocked 150 acres of meadow from being paved over.

With a list price of $15 Million, the 29.6 acre property offers remarkable potential; with 14.74 acres zoned High Density Residential, 13.66 acres zoned Conservation Preserve, and 1.2 acres zoned Forest Recreation. The mixed-zoning designation is in keeping with the character and strength of the Poulsen family and their love for the beauty and continued prosperity of the valley.

“In many ways, the Poulsens defined the character of the valley. Wayne knew that development had to occur, but he was one of the few early giants in the industry able to find the balance between carefully developing this pristine area, while keeping alive the natural beauty that originally drew them to Squaw Valley. The Homestead Ranch was created with those same values,” says Tamara McKinney of Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty. “What an honor it is for us to help facilitate this process. This is a truly an iconic location with major historical significance, in one of the most beautiful spots in the world of winter sports,” added Jeff Hamilton who is co-listing the property alongside McKinney.

Adding another layer to the property’s already rich Olympic heritage, both McKinney and Hamilton are both decorated skiers and former Olympians with a lifelong connection to Squaw Valley. “Of course we can’t choose the buyer, but we are hoping to find a buyer who will preserve the land and be the next stewards of this iconic property,” says Hamilton.

For historic photos and more about this Squaw Valley legacy visit SquawValleyHomestead.com.

Sierra Sotheby's International Realty® local brokerage offices enable sellers and buyers to find representatives experienced in offering exceptional homes in Lake Tahoe. The Sotheby’s International Realty network currently has more than 15,000 independent sales associates located in approximately 720 offices in 52 countries and territories worldwide. In addition to the referral opportunities and widened exposure generated from this source, the firm’s brokers and clients benefit from an association with the Sotheby’s auction house and worldwide Sotheby’s International Realty marketing programs. Each office is independently owned and operated.

For more information, visit www.sierrasothebysrealty.com, search #SierraSIR on Twitter, follow us on Facebook, or call one of our offices: (Squaw Valley) 530-581-1800; (Incline Village) 775-832-4900; (Zephyr Cove) 775-588-7710, (South Lake Tahoe) 530-494-7600; (Tahoe Donner) 530-587-3505. Sotheby’s International Realty listings are marketed on the sothebysrealty.com global website.