South Lake Tahoe home recently seen on "The Bachelor" for sale

If you caught the January 22, 2018 episode of The Bachelor that showed bachelor Arie Luyendyk, Jr. in many scenic spots around South Lake Tahoe you most likely saw the home the show's contestants, the bachelorettes, stayed in while in town.

That 17,000 square foot house on Sherman Way is now for sale with a price tag of $15,880,000. It has 17 bedrooms, 18 bathrooms, five fire places, a swimming pool, high end features and appliances, and amazing views.

While most of us will never be able to purchase such a home, it's interesting to look into not only the home's features, but the history of the property.

At one time, a developer had 15.4 acres bordering the Gunbarrel run at Heavenly Mountain Resort and he planned to put in 100 condos and a clubhouse. He finished the clubhouse but the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency came into existence and put a stop to the proposed project by pulling the permit due to the planned project being on environmentally sensitive land.

As litigation over the project continued, the former executive director of the California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) saw an opportunity to get everyone out of the situation and they purchased it.

Claims were settled, and the property was moved into public ownership.

Since the clubhouse building was still in good shape, CTC decided they could get some life out of the building and worked out a deal with the City of South Lake Tahoe. The City would operate the facility and the Tallac Association would use it for weddings and corporate rentals.

The City received money from litigation to remodel, repair roof, get it all set up for Tallac and the building was renamed Tallac Conference Center. Since the spot was state owned, the public had to have access in some way. Weddings, meetings, conferences took place, but with limited parking it became a small venue, not the grandiose center once envisioned

Every winter the building had to be winterized, but soon fell into disrepair and bears found it a great place to hibernate by pulling off the siding, becoming a costly venture. Tallac left the building and CTC began looking at selling the property along with the old drive-in on Glenwood Way. They were up for sale in 2012, and after nobody purchased them South Lake Tahoe developer Bob McIntyre and an investor purchased both properties at auction.

On Sherman Way, McIntyre and a crew of 10 took 18 months to create the masterpiece which has not only hosted vacationers and the girls from The Bachelor, but has been the scene of commercials for Ferrari and Izod.

Realtor Mark Salmon has listed the property. He said he has already received some interest from potential buyers.

"Its a great place to bring people together," said Salmon. "Many hang out at the house and don't leave with the home theater, Bocce ball, horseshoes and views from every room. A wonderful place to recharge your batteries."

McIntyre said those staying in the home can ski do some powder skiing through the trees and get to the house when there is enough snow, or use the Round-a-Bout run. Due to its location the home is now known at Gunbarrel Lodge.

For more information on the listing: http://www.realestateoflaketahoe.com/homes-for-sale-details/1639-SHERMAN-WAY-SOUTH-LAKE-TAHOE-CA-96150/128739/227/.