Lake Tahoe's Oldest and Most Luxurious Settlement

Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight!
For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.

Welcome to Shakespeare Ranch, one of the oldest properties in Lake Tahoe. It’s also the largest residential lakefront property—and among the most expensive, at $69 million.

At the center of Glenbrook—a 300-home gated resort community and Lake Tahoe’s oldest settlement on the Eastern Shore—this 129-acre estate offers more than 227 feet of sparkling shoreline.

Glenbrook was the home of the area’s most influential logging family, who helped settle the town in 1860. In the years following the decline of the logging industry, the family started the Glenbrook Inn, frequented by politicians and celebrities—including President Grant, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Clark Gabe and Rita Hayworth. The Ranch was named after an iconic rock on the property that, accordingly to many visitors, resembles the beloved playwright.

In 1984, the Ranch’s current owner bought a condo in Glenbrook and then went on to assemble the current holdings, including 7 New England-style guest homes and cabins, an indoor pool, and a 5,111-square-foot renovated barn, originally built in 1873—outfitted with a gourmet kitchen and wine room for celebrity events. 

All in all, Shakespeare Ranch boasts 15 bedrooms, 16 baths, 7 kitchens, and many other buildings centered on a large central grass courtyard, the site of many parties and events.

This grand home is the vision of renowned architect Marc Appleton.  Take a look at the expansive property:

Check out this aerial view of the lakefront estate.

The 397-foot shared pier has a boat lift and 5 boat buoys.

There are horse stables with paddocks, a green house, vegetable garden, animal enclosures, rodeo grounds with pens and bleachers where the annual “Glenbrook Rodeo” is held.
See also: Equine Expressions

“They don’t make barns like this in Texas,” President Bush told the owners when he visited the Ranch one summer of 2000.

The entertainment barn's kitchen is complete with state-of-the-art appliances. 

The entertainment barn's wine room is used for celebrity events.


The King Lear guest house

A root cellar was converted to a wine tasting room.

The grand pool house has an indoor pool and fireside dining, an outdoor spa, a fully equipped gym, an art loft, an executive office suite, a staging kitchen for catering, and guest bathrooms.

To buy or not to buy? This home is currently listed with Lexi Cerretti and Claudia Thompson of Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty.

See also: Spectacular Views Built on the Crags of Lake Tahoe

Categories: Rustic Homes