above: the 7,100 sq. foot main home built in 1995
above: The 1000 sq. foot guest house added in 2006
You may have seen the guesthouse featured in the October 2009 issue of Architectural Digest or on some architecture blogs. But what most people have not seen is the luxury estate that goes with it.
The private location of the lot and terrain for the estate was what initially attracted the original owner, Jerome Lemelson, an inventor best known for patenting barcode technology. He and his wife Dorothy built the main home in 1995 and sadly Mr. Lemelson passed away soon after, in 1997. Dorothy added the guesthouse and conference room in 2006.
Eric Thiele was the architect for the main home, architect Roderick Ashley designed the guesthouse, and Murase Associates were responsible for the landscape architecture.
The property, located on 536 Lakeshore in Lake Tahoe's Incline Village, on the lake's north shore, is available for purchase and is offered exclusively by Chase International for $34 million.
The following text is from Chase international's listing for the home:
The Osprey Estate's design genius is due in no small part to the owners -- a renowned inventor and his wife, an accomplished interior designer -- who collaborated with the architects in the creation of this lakeside masterpiece.
“Osprey, the Incline Village estate, is a hidden jewel in one of the nation’s most desirable places to live,” notes Shari Chase, president and CEO of Chase International. “Situated on two parcels that encompass eight acres, the estate is the epitome of understated elegance. With magnificent landscaping and a wide sandy beach, Osprey is the essence of privacy and serenity.”
The private beach:
Fine art connoisseurs, the owners sought to create museum-like interiors that showcase the family’s notable contemporary art collection. This artistic acumen resonates throughout the property where striking outdoor sculptures enhance a natural canvas resplendent with Lake Tahoe’s cobalt blue water and lush garden areas featuring pathways and inviting junctures for contemplation.
This creative vision is reflected throughout the estate that includes a main residence, guesthouse and conference center. The owners worked closely with architects Eric Thiele and Rod Ashley influencing the estate’s construction and contemporary design. Additionally, well-known Portland landscape architect Bob Murase (who passed away recently) clearly understood how to enhance and compliment the property’s natural topography.
The terrain gently slopes down to the water, leveling off at midpoint where the estate’s three separate structures all overlook Lake Tahoe. Flanking the main residence, two seasonal creeks offer a peaceful natural cadence as rushing water cascades over huge granite boulders.
The Main Home:
The 7,100-square-foot main residence offers countless expansive windows and skylights that offer an abundance of natural light and stellar views of Lake Tahoe.
Livingroom:
Master bedroom:
Bathing the rooms in the delicate pink of a Lake Tahoe sunrise or the vibrant hues of sunset alpenglow on the Sierra, natural light is a featured performer in each and every structure on the Osprey property.
Diningroom:
Reminiscent of a Frank Lloyd Wright residence with its exterior natural limestone and clean geometric lines, the home exudes an air of timeless elegance. The functional floor plan includes eight bedrooms, seven full baths and three half baths.
One of the eight bedrooms:
The home is enhanced with classic contemporary touches such as white sycamore hardwood flooring, European and Indiana limestone throughout the kitchen and bathrooms, and custom Lord Adams VSoske rugs.
Kitchen:
Master Bath:
Indoor pool and jacuzzi:
A spacious entertaining deck and an infinity-like indoor pool are both oriented toward the south to capture glorious Sierra vistas. Additionally, there is a radiant-heated outdoor stone patio located off the second floor living area. The main residence is surrounded by gardens and stately cedars that shield it from blustery winter weather and also provide shade and privacy during summer months.
Osprey is tucked back from the water, surrounded by mature trees, gardens and lovely pathways that meander across the two creeks and down to the lake, explains Kerry Donovan, Chase International broker and listing agent.
The Guesthouse & Conference Room:
One of the many pathways on the leads to the 1,000 square-foot guesthouse.
This building is a study in rich mahogany and polished stone aggregate. Echoing the estates main residence, the guesthouse features walls of windows, which take in views of Lake Tahoe and the distinctive sculpture garden.
Almost symmetrical to the guesthouse, the conference center is reached by a meditative mahogany plank, aspen-lined walkway.
This route takes one past the estates sculpture garden and a sculpture fountain. This executive meeting space features a boardroom, kitchen and full bath, which are complimented by the estates signature lake views and abundant natural light.
Talented architect Rod Ashley is responsible for the design of both the guesthouse and the conference center.
"This estate captures ones inner spirit! It is not very often you feel that a property has it all – and, Osprey has it all." Shari Chase adds.
For more information or to arrange a private viewing of the property, contact Shari Chase, 866. 233.7111 or Kerry Donovan 866.831.8999, kdonovan@chaseinternational.com.
photos by erik jarvis, courtesy of WSJ and Mary E. Nichols, courtesy of Architectural Digest
