Historically, the quintessential Tahoe home was quantified by the lakefront legacy cabin. Perhaps passed down through generations and built to appear nostalgic or “camplike” The use of heavy, dark materials, extensive rockwork and massive exposed beams were the norm.
“Winning the 2018 Tahoe Quarterly home of the year for outstanding design, Bay Area architect Shay Zak and builder Vineyard Homes, successfully created a 9,000 square foot concrete work of art while still retaining elements of warmth and comfort of the nostalgic mountain retreats of old.”
Since the inception of Martis Camp roughly a decade ago, a gated community at the base of Northstar consisting of 671 homesites, architects and builders utilized this new blank canvas in the heart of Martis Valley to shift the paradigm of luxury real estate for the region.
Modern architecture is best defined by the use of new, innovative, sustainable construction technologies with a focus on glass, steel and re-enforced concrete. After spending a few years living in Southern California, I personally grew fond of simplistic, clean lines, flat roofs and seamless indoor/outdoor spaces of homes that dotted the coastline. When Martis Camp began to push the boundaries of what was considered a mountain home, I immediately fell in love.
The home that has ultimately stood out as the bellwether of contemporary design for me is hands down 8143 Valhalla Drive situated on the 17th hole of Martis Camp’s Fazio golf course. Winning the 2018 Tahoe Quarterly home of the year for outstanding design, Bay Area architect Shay Zak and builder Vineyard Homes, successfully created a 9,000 square foot concrete work of art while still retaining elements of warmth and comfort of the nostalgic mountain retreats of old.
Consisting of 7 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, a three-car garage, movie theater, game room, media room and a concrete terrace to name a few features, Bobby Jones Concrete was enlisted to take on the tall order of making this key design element of board form concrete a reality. They sandblasted 2x 10” boards before use to raise the wood grain to create texture and warmth.
This extensive interior/exterior material, clear western red cedar woodwork, textured woven wallpapers, limestone floors and expansive glass pocket doors provide a warm, seamless indoor/outdoor experience as you take in the evening alpenglow of Mt. Rose to the East. Originally listed for just south of $16,000,000 in 2016 and ultimately transacting for $11,750,000 in 2018, breaking records for Martis Camp’s highest ever recorded sale…I feel lucky to have had the privilege to tour this home, as it will always hold a special place in my mind as a perfectly executed masterpiece.
Photos courtesy: Vance Fox
