As California ski resorts at Squaw Valley and Northstar undertake major lodging, retail and entertainment expansions, Nevada’s stateline areas, on both North Shore and South, answer with enhanced visitor attractions of their own. South Lake Tahoe’s newly- opened, state-of-the-art gondola is the first project out of the chute, and has met with rave reviews. The 138-car system runs from a grand plaza situated immediately adjacent to stateline casinos, up to the 9,100-foot level of Heavenly Ski Resort. The gondola is just the start of a major urban renewal project. Upscale hotels, retail shops and pedestrian walkways will follow. All structures have a coordinated alpine theme, with rock-and- timber facades, peaked rooflines and an emphasis on accessible outdoor space. All told, some $240 million will go into this elaborate makeover during the next few years.
At the North Shore, Incline Village and Crystal Bay hotels face the stiff challenge of proximity to the 2,600 new rooms planned on the California side of the lake. Squaw Valley’s new “village” is well underway, and developer Intrawest Corp. sold out its first phase of condominium units in a matter of hours, an indication that the full project should roll along with few financial challenges. The pedestrian village situated at the base of Squaw Valley USA, scheduled for a five-year build-out, includes nearly 600 condominiums that will function as rentable lodging units; and 78 commercial businesses, including restaurants, shops, nightclubs and galleries.
Not to be outdone, Northstar ski resort selected East West Partners to develop its new “main street” of shops and services. Known for its work at Breckenridge and Beaver Creek in Colorado, East West is highly regarded for quality and innovation. Northstar anticipates up to an additional 2,000 new lodging units on its property near Truckee.
While the scope of these huge Tahoe basin projects is sure to call national and even international travel attention to the region, Incline Village and Crystal Bay continue to anchor the pristine Northern Nevada shore in its inimitable “Old Tahoe” style. “We don’t have space for development of scores of new lodging facilities,” said Ken Viel, president of the community’s Lodging Association, “but we don’t think this exclusive waterfront area will take a back seat to anyone in the long run.”
Although this community is known for its natural splendor and superb outdoor recreation, all is not quiet in Incline Village and Crystal Bay. The Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, the lake’s only waterfront four-star property, is in the midst of a three-year, $50 million upgrade. The subtle elegance of stone floors, heavy timber beams and traditional Tahoe styling is creating a resort that will certainly be one of Hyatt’s finest, worldwide, upon completion. Even its casino is integrated into the style, with native granite throughout and massive rustic chandeliers.
In adjacent Crystal Bay, Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) has accented roadway improvements with pedestrian walkways, benches and lighting reminiscent of earlier times. The Cal Neva Resort, formerly owned by Frank Sinatra, among others, still boasts its famous Indian Room straddling the California/Nevada stateline, but Old Blue Eyes wouldn’t recognize its hotel rooms these days. “We were looking for a more luxurious feel,” stated owner Chuck Bluth in referring to his newly-remodeled guest rooms. “After all, when people are on vacation, they want to feel special and pampered. That’s how we think they’ll react as they walk into these rooms.” Tahoe rustic they are not, but they will conjure up images of Tahoe’s elite society of the ’20s and ’30s. Canopied beds, down comforters and even lamb’s wool throws grace each room.
Across the highway, the Tahoe Biltmore is fully involved in a remodel that will offer a true lodge-style architecture with rock exterior, expanded lobby with fireplace, a new bar and upgraded meeting facilities. This look will complement the Biltmore’s main lodge guest room renovations completed last year.
Incline Village/Crystal Bay even claims a new and exclusive meeting facility that fits its pristine, old Tahoe image. The Thunderbird Lodge, George Whittel III’s stone mansion of the ’30s, is now available for daily rental as a meeting facility. Its rental price tag of $10,000 per day insures exclusivity, but the sandy coves, underground passages, boathouse and waterfalls provide the ideal privacy for a special corporate meeting or important event.
Over the next five years, Nevada’s Tahoe communities face a stiff test in channeling business growth and improvements to meet the challenges of visitor competition, while still protecting the beauty of their surroundings and the lifestyle of their residents. With all these enhancements underway, there is no doubt the Tahoe basin will continue to elevate its status as one of the world’s top outdoor recreation destinations.