See nearly century-old, off-grid Lake Tahoe compound for sale: $18M

A tucked-away pocket of Lake Tahoe’s East Shore has long been the place where the shoreline turns wilder.

Granite boulders pile up like sculpture. The water is so clear you can see when it shifts from pale turquoise to deep cobalt. Here, the lake’s coves feel more like a secret than a destination.

Now, one of the area’s most elusive retreats is for sale. The property, at 2170 Highway 28 in Carson City, Nevada, is only accessible by boat, or by an unpaved private road during warmer months.

Secret Harbor, a nearly century-old, off-the-grid compound set on about two acres of grandfathered lakefront in the national forest has hit the market for $18 million.

The residence combines the kind of “Old Tahoe” setting that can’t be replicated with upgrades aimed at modern lake life: a private pier, a boathouse, two buoys, a boat lift and an automated solar system that allows the compound to operate off grid, according to marketing materials and online interviews.

The seller, Todd Gildred, principal designer and owner of T Cannon Design, oversaw the recent renovation of the 1934-era compound in a way that was historically respectful but lifestyle-forward.

Having been trained in hospitality design at the Academy of Art in San Francisco, “I decided to bring a boutique resort experience to this private residence,” Gildred said in an email.

“The Lake Tahoe Experience is a secluded and rustic lakefront cabin compound boasting panoramic views of Lake Tahoe with its breathtaking sunsets to the West, while nestled between white sand beaches draped with granite boulders and a national forest thick with old growth redwood and sequoia trees,” Gildred said in a statement.

The compound dates back 92 years with roots tied to early lakefront development along the East Shore and a preservation-minded era when landowners organized to protect the forest setting. Edward G. Schiedell, one of the founders of the Secret Harbor Association, originally developed the property. Gildred’s family purchased it in 1985.

That history is part of what makes the property difficult to match today: A “grandfathered” slice of private lakefront surrounded by protected national forest land, with multiple shoreline structures that could not be newly built under current rules.

The compound totals about 2,915 square feet and functions as a single retreat.

The main residence has three bedrooms and three full bathrooms, with living spaces oriented toward panoramic views across the lake, according to listing materials. Two guest accommodations sit in the trees: the “Chicken’s Nest,” a one-bedroom, one-bath cabin, and “Topside,” a studio perched above a one-car garage.

At the water’s edge, a boathouse doubles as a lakeside lounge — a place to dry off, pour a drink, and watch the lake traffic slide by. It includes a half bathroom, according to the listing.

Christine Perry of Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno, the listing agent, said the draw isn’t just the address — it’s the mix of lake access, privacy and independence.

“What makes this property so unique is that it offers many of the features today’s luxury buyers are looking for in Lake Tahoe — a private lakefront setting, a private pier, boathouse, two buoys, and a boat lift,” Perry said.

“What truly sets it apart, though, is the combination of privacy and self-sufficiency,” she added. “Accessible only during the warmer months, the property operates on a sophisticated automated solar system, allowing owners to enjoy an off-grid lifestyle without sacrificing comfort. It’s a rare opportunity to experience a more secluded side of Lake Tahoe while still enjoying the conveniences expected in a luxury waterfront retreat.”

It’s the sort of place where you can disappear, but still come back with sun-warmed shoulders and a phone that’s charged.

Leaning into ‘Old Tahoe’

Gildred’s renovation follows a design approach that treats the compound like a boutique resort — not by going glossy, but by dialing in materials, color and detail in a way meant to echo Tahoe’s classic lakefront era.

In describing the concept, Gildred points to an earlier Lake Tahoe — one defined by leisure, social gathering and the aesthetic of wooden boats skimming across glassy water.

“The design concept for this 1934 lakefront compound was to bring one back to this time when people first experienced and celebrated the beauty of Lake Tahoe,” he said.

He described a revival of Nordic-inspired detailing and a palette tied to the setting, with each structure taking cues from what surrounds it:

“The compound comprises a boat house on the lakeshore taking in the shallow turquoise waters and cream-colored sand, the main home on a bluff overlooking a panorama of the lake absorbs the cobalt blue of the deep water in the distance and soft grays of the volcanic boulders, a small guest cabin nestled among towering Sequoia and Redwood trees embraces a whimsy of mossy greens and the cool white of the morning mist above the nearby trickling stream, and a second lofted guest cabin embracing the saturated gold and blood orange sunsets visible at dusk.”

Design elements include hand-hewn log beams, natural stone fireplaces, lacquered woods and metals inspired by vintage Tahoe speedboats, and social spaces meant to keep gatherings moving from inside to outside.

Close to Incline Village

Despite its secluded feel, Secret Harbor sits just minutes from Incline Village’s dining and recreation once you’re back on the public road network.

“Secret Harbor on the East Shore, has always been prized for its crystal-clear water, dramatic granite boulders, and extraordinary privacy,” Perry said. “It’s one of the few places on Lake Tahoe where owners can enjoy a true retreat-like setting while still being just minutes from the dining, recreation, and amenities of Incline Village.”

The listing pegs the property at five bedrooms and six bathrooms across the compound, with a one-car garage, and notes the off-grid systems rely on solar power, propane and lake-sourced water.

David Caraccio

The Sacramento Bee

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David Caraccio is a video producer for The Sacramento Bee who was born and raised in Sacramento. He is a graduate of San Diego State University and a longtime journalist who has worked for newspapers as a reporter, editor, page designer and digital content producer.