Zalanta Resort set to open near the Heavenly Gondola at South Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — Thirty luxury condos across from the Heavenly Gondola are nearly completed.

Zalanta Resort at the Village is South Lake Tahoe’s first whole-ownership luxury condominium development in more than 30 years. After breaking ground in the fall of 2015, the condos are expected to be finished by May 1 — and a number of units have already been spoken for.

“The penthouses and four bedroom units — the most expensive — those all went first,” said Mike Dunn, Chase International’s sales and listing agent for the property.

Zalanta includes two-, three- and four-bedroom floor plans ranging from 1,147 to 2,291 square feet. Listings start at $950,000 and go up to more than $2.2 million with the most expensive property being the four-bedroom penthouse overlooking the Gondola.

The property also includes a pool, two hot tubs and a fitness center. Ground floor retail space, including a spot designed for a restaurant, has yet to be filled except for one unit where Powder House Ski and Board Rentals recently moved in.

“The reaction we’ve gotten from people looking at the property is, ‘Thank God it’s finally coming to South Shore,’” said Dunn. “It’s a product type that is in such high demand.”

Dunn said the majority of the buyers and interested parties are Bay Area residents looking for a second or third home — a fact that rubs many locals who point to a need for additional affordable and workforce housing.

“This product type is wanted by the people that are already coming here, and it puts them in the tourist corridor and out of those neighborhoods,” noted Dunn, referencing vacation rentals in residential areas. “Having a development in this location, this is what it was meant to be. We had no negative impact on a single resident doing this project.”

Further, said Dunn, it’s a development that will improve the image of the South Shore while boosting the tourism economy.

“Everyone we’ve encountered will be renting out their property when they aren’t there,” noted Dunn.

Vail Resorts is contracted to manage Zalanta’s HOA, the vacation rental of the condos, and the property’s 24-hour concierge service.

“If you want someone to stock your kitchen, you email the concierge a list. The concierge can arrange an in-room massage, get a chef to come cook for you, book parasailing — basically handle an entire vacation’s worth of activities,” said Dunn.

A ski valet is also on-site to help with the storage and transportation of snow gear.

The completed project is a welcome sight in Heavenly Village.

Development attempts date back to 1993. Formerly known as “the hole,” the property was untouched for many year after another developer tore down existing structures before running out of money during the recession.

“This project was a long time coming and took the perseverance of many to see it through from the recession years,” said Carol Chaplin, president and CEO of Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “What a compliment to this part of town, extending the vibrant, pedestrian-friendly area created by the Heavenly Village and the Village Center, with additional retail and restaurant opportunities.”

A proposed phase two, including the construction of additional condos behind the current Zalanta property, is currently being explored.

Zalanta Sale Center, located at 4125 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Suite G, is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.