A Lake Tahoe Mansion Where Frank Sinatra Used to Hang Out Asks $25.75M

The Rat Pack partied here.

Originally built by William F. Harrah, the owner of Harrah's Lake Tahoe Hotel & Casino, Villa Harrah is a legendary 1963 estate set on the most prominent and coveted lakefront spot in Lake Tahoe. The one-of-a-kind, 20,000-square-foot property features breathtaking views of the scenic surroundings—and if these walls could talk, they would tell many glamorous tales of the golden age of Hollywood.

The midcentury mansion has panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains.

The midcentury mansion has panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains.

Harrah originally built the midcentury mansion to host the celebrities that performed at his casino. The main room could fit around 100 people for cocktails and dancing, and it hosted Hollywood legends such as Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland. In fact, there was even a secret tunnel that ran the length of the property that discretely concealed their arrival.

The great room features floor-to-ceiling windows, a floating fireplace, exposed beams, lofty vaulted ceilings, and a multimillion-dollar view. 

The great room features floor-to-ceiling windows, a floating fireplace, exposed beams, lofty vaulted ceilings, and a multimillion-dollar view. 

Recently remodeled over the course of three years to the tune of $14 million, the storied eight-bedroom, seven-full-bath, six-half-bath retreat has been reimagined as a luxurious family home. The redesign introduced over-the-top amenities including a full salon and spa; a home theater; a Himalayan Salt Cave; a private beach with a private pier; a swimming pool and hot tubs; and even a sink cast in the shape of Lake Tahoe. Unfortunately, the tunnel system is no longer functioning.

Images of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis Jr. adorn the double-height great room. 

Images of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis Jr. adorn the double-height great room. 

The upper story holds a billiards table with a view. 

The upper story holds a billiards table with a view. 

The spacious, open kitchen is decked out with four Wolf ranges and two refrigerators.

The spacious, open kitchen is decked out with four Wolf ranges and two refrigerators.

An additional open-plan living/dining area right off the kitchen opens to an outdoor terrace for indoor/outdoor living. 

An additional open-plan living/dining area right off the kitchen opens to an outdoor terrace for indoor/outdoor living. 

The bunk room is perfect for when weekend guests have children.

The bunk room is perfect for when weekend guests have children.

The guest bath boasts skylights overhead and a giant soaking tub set against a backlit slab of marble.

The guest bath boasts skylights overhead and a giant soaking tub set against a backlit slab of marble.

The dressing room maintains a sense of old Hollywood glamour.

The dressing room maintains a sense of old Hollywood glamour.

There is even a salt cave with backlit walls of pink Himalayan salt.

There is even a salt cave with backlit walls of pink Himalayan salt.

The home theater.

The home theater.

A pool on the deck overlooks the water and the surrounding landscape.  

A pool on the deck overlooks the water and the surrounding landscape.  

The expansive outside terrace features sweeping panoramic views. 

The expansive outside terrace features sweeping panoramic views. 

At the time, Harrah could have built anywhere on the lake—but he chose this scenic spot. 

At the time, Harrah could have built anywhere on the lake—but he chose this scenic spot. 

1028 Skyland Drive is currently listed for $25,750,000 by David Bellings of Compass.

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Jennifer Baum Lagdameo
Dwell Contributor
Jennifer Baum Lagdameo is a freelance design writer who has lived in Washington DC, Brooklyn, Tokyo, Manila, and is currently exploring the Pacific Northwest from her home base in Portland, Oregon.

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