Former Tahoe Biltmore site to be developed as Waldorf Astoria Lake Tahoe
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Tue, 12/06/2022 - 6:20am
The Tahoe Biltmore, owned by EKN Development of Southern California, will become the Waldorf Astoria Lake Tahoe according to an announcement of the new brand agreement made by Hilton Hotels on Monday. The new resort is expected to be completed by 2027.
The Biltmore, which closed earlier this year, was purchased in September 2021 by EKN Development for $56.8 million. The company also purchased the Beesley Cottages in Tahoe Vista last year. EKN had announced plans at that time for a new hotel-casino on the Nevada property and a lakefront beach club on the California property.
The old casino and hotel site was originally approved to be the Boulder Bay resort and was approved by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) in 2011, but area residents said the plans approved then had been greatly modified, and the delay of 11 years should warrant a new environmental study, traffic study, and new emergency evacuation plan due to the impact to SR 28. EKN executives met with locals in January 2022 to discuss those concerns and said they'd be presenting an updated plan to Washoe County and TRPA this past fall. The status of those plans is unconfirmed.
The 15-acre site will be a mixed-use development with 76 guest rooms and 61 best-in-class Waldorf Astoria branded residences. Managed by Hilton, the new build luxury hotel will mark Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts’ first property in the treasured Sierra Nevada mountain range.
“Now more than ever, our guests are seeking engaging experiences, from embracing local culture to connecting with nature. With Waldorf Astoria Lake Tahoe, guests will enjoy one of the finest natural settings at one of the most luxurious hotels in the destination,” said Matt Schuyler, chief brand officer at Hilton. “Bringing Waldorf Astoria’s distinguished hospitality to an extraordinary location like Lake Tahoe provides the perfect opportunity for travelers and residents to immerse themselves in the incredible, serene beauty that the destination offers while indulging in the authentic and sophisticated experiences for which the brand is renowned.”
Waldorf Astoria Lake Tahoe’s branded residences will be represented for sale by Mike Dunn at Chase International. See more here.
“We are pleased to introduce our fourth luxury property in Nevada with the signing of Waldorf Astoria Lake Tahoe, which will join the 32 Waldorf Astoria hotels currently welcoming travelers and 26 more in development around the world,” said Kevin Jacobs, chief financial officer & president, global development, Hilton. “As we continue to grow our luxury portfolio, Hilton is always looking for the right opportunities to expand our presence in popular resort destinations. Lake Tahoe is a highly sought-after and year-round alpine destination making it an ideal location to provide guests, residents, outdoor enthusiasts, and locals a haven to explore outdoor activities complemented by our brand’s luxurious amenities.”
Besides the residences at Crystal Bay, the three-acre lakefront beach club on the North Shore will be combined with a gondola-side mountain club at NorthStar Ski Resort, and transportation to nearby golf clubs, hiking trails, and the region’s world-renowned slopes.
