Largest private land holding in Tahoe sold

By Kathryn Reed

It took more than seven years and for the price to drop $55 million before Tranquility got a new owner.

Tranquil Investments LLC bought the Zephyr Cove property for $45 million. When it first went on the market in 2006 the asking price was $100 million. It is the largest private land holding in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

This staircase is designed to look like the one on the Titanic. Photo/Chase International

In 1996 Joel Horowitz, co-founder of Tommy Hilfiger, and his wife, Ann, bought the 210-acre undeveloped property for $4.5 million from South Shore developer Falcon Capital, which was run by Randy Lane. Falcon bought it in a bankruptcy deal involving Wayne Newton for $2.51 million. The Bourne family, who owned the Singer Sewing Machine Co., are the original property owners. The Bourne Meadow is on the other side of Highway 50 from this parcel.

It took 30 months to build all the structures. There are nine bedrooms, 14 full baths, five half baths and room for 16 vehicles.

The main house, which feels like a museum, is 27,000-square-feet. Most of the furnishings come with the house. The marble floor entrance was built to resemble the New York City Library – a couple lion statues are out front just like in the Big Apple. Then there is the replica of the Titanic staircase. A rectangular mezzanine level is a library. The theater seats 19.

Near the main house is the 5,000-square-foot guesthouse, which feels more like Tahoe. It has the only wood fireplace. Ten small gas fireplaces are on the property.

Across the drive is the 5,000-square-foot wood-framed caretakers’ quarters. A 1,400-square-foot log cabin art studio is on the far side of the natural, private lake.

Beyond the guesthouse is a 4,000-square-foot wood barn and stable. Near the stables is the 4,000-square-foot wood-framed and steel trussed gymnasium with basketball court.

A tunnel connects the glass mosaic pool and spa to the main house.