There is an epidemic of ostentatious McMansions being built in ski town across the nation that are grotesque eyesore on otherwise beautiful vistas. Architects may wrap these alters to the ultra wealthy in wood and stone but they don’t pass the sniff test when it comes to tasteful ski homes designed to work in unison and enhance the surrounding landscapes.
This were different back in the back in 1958 when famed San Francisco architect Henrik Bull was tasked with creating a home in Olympic Valley prior to the 1960 Winter Olympics. What he came up with is known as Olympic Valley Discovery House or The Klaussen Cabin and it truly exemplifies the sensibility of midcentury modern resort architecture. The cabin is distinct among homes in the valley with it’s “Handkerchief Roofline” that hangs over 3 prow front cube, mimicking the geometry of Palisades Tahoe’s peaks.
The home was originally 850 square feet and was in massive disrepair when it was purchased back in 2012. Henrik Bull consulted on the remodel designs before he passed away in 2013. The resulting 3,508 square foot home preserves Bull’s original vision while updating it with modern amenities and additional space. Its currently listed at $5,000,000, find listing details below:
1620 Lanny Lane, Olympic Valley, California
Price: $5,000,000
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms:4 Full/2 Partial
Interior: 3,508 Sq Ft.
Exterior: 0.4 Acre
The Klaussen Cabin is located in the desirable west end of Olympic Valley, perched above the fabled slopes of thePalisades Tahoe ski resort. The original home was constructed prior to the 1960 Winter Olympics and was famed San Francisco architect Henrik Bull’s first solo project. This progressive residence was featured in Sunset Magazine in May of 1958 as the “Sunset Discovery House” helping to launch Bull’s remarkable career.
The rebuilt home was completed in 2016 and exudes quality, intricate details, and is a true homage to Henrik Bull. The 3 prow-front cubes contain the kitchen/dining room, living room, and family room. These incredible rooms feature walls of windows to take in the views and the “handkerchief” rooflines provide additional architectural detail that makes this home uniquely Bull. There are 4 stunning bedrooms, each with balcony/patio access and there are 2 en-suite bedrooms, while the other 2 bedrooms have hallway baths for convenience.
In addition to 4 full baths, there are 2 gorgeous powder bathrooms in the living room and family room. Each bathroom features custom finishes including reclaimed wood accents behind the vanities. There are a number of beautiful reclaimed wood accents throughout the house which are masterfully crafted with modern styling. The wood is reclaimed siding from the original house, paying further homage to Bull’s legacy.
Even the front door and garage doors feature this reclaimed timber, adding to the mystique of this luxury home. Not only is this home stunning to the eye, but the new residence is efficient and comfortable. Heating is provided by a high-efficiency in-floor hydronic system. There is central air conditioning for those warm summer days and with the home being built in 2016, the insulation properties keep the home comfortable in all seasons.
There are many beautiful homes in Olympic Valley, but the Klaussen Cabin exemplifies midcentury modern resort architecture and the execution of this like-new home is extraordinary. The West End neighborhood location places you within walking distance of the Village, nightlife and some of the best skiing on the planet. Thearchitectural legacy of this home along with its world class location put the Klaussen Cabin at the pinnacle of Tahoe realestate. It’s rare for opportunities like this to come to market and we hope that you enjoy this spectacular home.
