Celebrity and Famous Homes Near Lake Tahoe

The Lake Tahoe area has long been a retreat for the rich and famous, from eccentric business magnate Howard Hughes to actress Marilyn Monroe. Check out the famous homes and lodges in Lake Tahoe that played host to celebrities and other notable people.

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August 21, 2015

By: Shannon Phillips

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Photo By: Chase International, a member of Luxury Portfolio International

Photo By: Jarvis Photography

Photo By: zinserphoto.com

Photo By: Vance Fox Photography

Photo By: Jarvis Photography

Photo By: Dickson Realty

Photo By: Tawnya Schultz

Howard Hughes' Lake Tahoe Estate

Known as Summertide, this 5.5-acre property in Crystal Bay, Nev., was once owned by businessman, aviator and filmmaker Howard Hughes. The Adirondack-style estate offers 500 feet of frontage on famous Lake Tahoe and has a buoy and a pier to maximize waterfront living.

From: Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®

Howard Hughes' Lake Tahoe Estate: Living Room

Inspired by the great camps of the Adirondacks, Summertide's main house was built from local timber in 1934 and has five bedrooms, four baths and an office.

From: Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®

Howard Hughes' Lake Tahoe Estate: Bedroom

According to a press release from Chase International, Hughes had become “fairly reclusive” by the time he purchased Summertide in the early 1950s. Despite that fact, it's rumored he had a tryst with Marilyn Monroe at the lakeside home.

From: Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®

Howard Hughes' Lake Tahoe Estate: Hot Tub

The property has only had one other owner since Hughes and looks largely the same as it did when the business magnate lived there. It's currently on the market for $19.5 million.

Thunderbird Lodge Lake Tahoe

While he owned Summertide, Howard Hughes reportedly would cross the lake for high-stakes card games at George Whittell Jr.’s Thunderbird Lodge. Whittell, an heir to one of San Francisco’s wealthiest families, built this Tudor Revival “summer cottage” between 1936 and 1939 and earned a reputation for his colorful parties.

Thunderbird Lodge Lake Tahoe: Interior

Built by prominent Nevada architect Frederic DeLongchamps, the lodge was designed to exist in harmony with its surroundings, and it represents a high level in expertise in building crafts, stone masonry, iron work and wood work.

Thunderbird Lodge Lake Tahoe: Card House

You can imagine the lively card games that took place in this card house, one of several outbuildings at Thunderbird Lodge. There’s also an elephant house, which was home to George Whittell’s Indian elephant named Mingo.

Thunderbird Lodge Lake Tahoe: Patio

George Whittell owned Thunderbird Lodge until his death in 1969. Today, the house and gardens are open for guided tours and can even be rented for weddings, meetings and other events.

Larry Ellison’s Lake Tahoe Estate

This spectacular home in Glenbrook, Nev., was formerly owned by Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, who Forbes listed as the third-wealthiest man in America in 2013. The 9,242-square-foot residence comes with six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a soundproofed media room, a fitness room and a billiards room.

Larry Ellison’s Lake Tahoe Estate: Family Room

Log cabin-style construction and several stone fireplaces give the home a luxurious lodge feel.

Larry Ellison’s Lake Tahoe Estate: Dining Room

Like many other rooms in the home, the dining room offers incredible views of Lake Tahoe.

Larry Ellison’s Lake Tahoe Estate: Patio

According to Business Insider, Ellison decided to sell this property because he’s building another home in the Lake Tahoe area – one that’s three times larger than his previous home.

Fleur Du Lac at Lake Tahoe

If this estate on the western shore of Lake Tahoe looks familiar, it’s because several scenes from The Godfather II were filmed here. Known as Fleur Du Lac, the California property was formerly the estate of industrialist Henry Kaiser.

Fleur Du Lac at Lake Tahoe: Yacht Club

Henry Kaiser began constructing his estate in 1938 as a retreat for himself and the heads of five other companies who joined forces to build the Hoover Dam. Starting in the early 1980s, the estate was expanded into a private condominium development, but several of the original stone buildings still exist.

Fleur Du Lac at Lake Tahoe: Living Room

If you’re lucky, you can live at historic Fleur Du Lac: There are only 22 homes in this prestigious 15-acre waterfront community.

Fleur Du Lac at Lake Tahoe: Dining Room

Residents of Fleur Du Lac can enjoy luxurious amenities such as a pool, tennis courts, a fitness center and a yacht club – where elite crowds used to gather to watch Henry Kaiser race his world-renowned hydroplanes.

Cal-Neva Resort Near Lake Tahoe

For $10, you can go underground to the tunnels under the Cal-Neva Lodge on the shores of Lake Tahoe, once used by Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe and Sammy Davis Jr. Said to be haunted, a guide will break down the use of the tunnels and the spirits who are said to still be roaming.

Marilyn Monroe's Cabin: Cal-Neva Resort Near Lake Tahoe

Visit Cabin #3 where Marilyn used to stay and happened to be a week before her death. While you can't go inside unless you book the room, it's a special piece of history for those intrigued.

Celebrity and Famous Homes Near Lake Tahoe

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Howard Hughes' Lake Tahoe Estate

Howard Hughes' Lake Tahoe Estate: Living Room

Howard Hughes' Lake Tahoe Estate: Bedroom

Howard Hughes' Lake Tahoe Estate: Hot Tub

Thunderbird Lodge Lake Tahoe

Thunderbird Lodge Lake Tahoe: Interior

Thunderbird Lodge Lake Tahoe: Card House

Thunderbird Lodge Lake Tahoe: Patio

Larry Ellison’s Lake Tahoe Estate

Larry Ellison’s Lake Tahoe Estate: Family Room

Larry Ellison’s Lake Tahoe Estate: Dining Room

Larry Ellison’s Lake Tahoe Estate: Patio

Fleur Du Lac at Lake Tahoe

Fleur Du Lac at Lake Tahoe: Yacht Club

Fleur Du Lac at Lake Tahoe: Living Room

Fleur Du Lac at Lake Tahoe: Dining Room

Cal-Neva Resort Near Lake Tahoe

Marilyn Monroe's Cabin: Cal-Neva Resort Near Lake Tahoe

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