The fourth most expensive property in the United States is on sale on Lakeshore Boulevard in Incline Village. For the asking price of $60 million buyers will get more than 340 feet of lakefront property, an 11,000-square-foot main house, two piers, a carriage house and two guest houses. Emma Garrard/Nevada Appeal News Service
At first glance, the Sierra Star - a $60 million estate off Incline Village's Lakeshore Boulevard - seems more like a small neighborhood than the fourth most expensive property on the market in the United States.
On more than four acres of lakefront, the property could probably be its own neighborhood, but is being marketed as a single estate with unparalleled features, said Kent Symons of Coldwell Banker Incline Village Realty, the real estate agent for the property.
While a mortgage on such a property would cost more per month than many Americans pay for a home, Symons said the amenities of the estate more than justify the price tag.
"This property is basically selling itself," Symons said.
The 11,000 square feet of the main house is hidden by an understated façade. But the house unfolds toward the lake with walls of glass windows that offer an uninterrupted view of Lake Tahoe.
With two piers, 340 feet of lakefront, two guest houses and a carriage house, the property is not only Incline Village's priciest property, but has been listed among the top 10 most expensive properties in the United States.
A large redwood and handmade wrought iron gate encloses four and a quarter acres of land.
"Some people get this confused with the Hyatt because of the entry," Symons said.
The 16,000-square-foot carriage house includes 13,000 feet of garage space and caretaker living quarters. The structure also includes an elevator that can accommodate a 70,000-pound RV and leads to a subterranean garage.
Symons said the carriage house is one of the unique selling points of the estate, and has had avid automobile collectors approach him about purchasing the estate.
"We have had offers on the property and the main attraction is the garage," Symons said.
A lush garden of daisies, lupines and Japanese maple weaves between the houses and ties the property together. Two bridges span a stream created by a man-made waterfall.
The landscaping, though, is not just about looks - it also hides a course for all-terrain vehicles. Porous rubber mats hide beneath the grass, allowing motorcycle enthusiasts to ride through the lawn without leaving ruts in the sod.
Rock formations near the stream double as bike and motorcycle jumps.
Lakeview, the structure adjacent to the main house, is 4,300 square feet of living space with five bedrooms, four bathrooms and a stairwell inspired by a Frank Lloyd Wright design. The 4,500-square-foot Parkview guesthouse has four bedrooms and 4 1/2 bathrooms.
Despite the more than 20,000 square feet of living space on the property, the two private piers stand out for Symons, who said he has seen a tenfold increase in the value of piers on Lake Tahoe since 1999.
"Now, the general consensus is they're worth at least a million dollars," Symons said.
Although they haven't ruled out selling parts of the estate, Symons said owner Tom Gonzales wants to keep the property - which Gonzales consolidated over his years of ownership - as one estate.
"None of us would like to see this property split up because very few of these estates remain," Symons said.
