You might expect one of America’s gambling innovators to have lived in a rather spectacular home, so William Fisk Harrah's former waterside mansion should not disappoint! The home of the Nevada-based entrepreneur has hosted Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack, and is currently for sale with Compass Realty for $25.75 million (£20.8m). It's one of the most incredible celebrity pads we've ever seen, so step inside and see what the fuss is all about...

A dazzling, sprawling mansion, Villa Harrah lies in sought-after Zephyr Cove, right on the banks of Lake Tahoe. With a staggering 20,000 square feet of interior space, the captivating home offers eight ensuite bedrooms and a whopping thirteen bathrooms – each benefiting from its own unique view. More than just a luxury house, there are few surprises in store, including a salt cave and a subterranean escape route...

The house was built by William F. Harrah; a unique character with a huge amount of ambition. Born in 1911 in South Pasadena, California, he bought his father’s small-scale bingo sideshow on Venice Beach for just $500 (£405) in 1933, quickly transforming a struggling operation into one of Nevada's largest casino and hotel enterprises. From Reno into Lake Tahoe, he went on to buy the Holiday Casino on the Las Vegas Strip in 1973. 

With this purchase came new fame, wealth and opportunities, while the Lake Tahoe move introduced Harrah to a part of the world he would later call home. Bill Harrah moved in glitzy circles and needed to have a house worthy of hosting his friends Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jnr and Judy Garland. He was also briefly married to country singer Bobby Gentry in 1969, one of his seven wives over the years.

His flourishing status and wealth meant Harrah was able to build his own home and it was thanks to his business expansion into Lake Tahoe that he saw the area's potential. With endless scenic panorama, an abundance of wildlife and total privacy, it was the perfect location for a rural hideaway. Since very few people had built properties in the region, Harrah also benefited from a pick of the plots...

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Hurrah liked that he was one of the first to build on the waterfront; it made his new home even more remarkable and impressive. For him, the house needed to epitomize luxury. It needed to be a place where high-flying celebs of the day would want to come. After carefully designing the property in extensive detail, Hurrah was finally able to begin construction in 1963. Let's take a closer look at his creation...

Built from timber and Brazilian stone, the house was meticulously designed by Harrah, with every lake view, room and choice of material personally overseen by him. All-out luxury was very much the name of the game and with its sleek metallic colour palette, the home is light-filled, chic and filled with plenty of wow-factor features.

Expertly designed for the needs of a high-profile, sociable businessman, the property offers large, open-plan spaces that make it perfect for entertaining. Its modern inside/outside layout also beautifully connects the stunning surrounding landscape with the indoor living spaces.

Built for entertaining, the neutral interior effortlessly merges with every external space, while the floor-to-ceiling walls of glass can be completely opened up to the elements. With wood, concrete and stone hues, the decor of the property is simple yet sophisticated.

Every living space is fitted with extensive windows, allowing for unmissable vistas. Many of the communal rooms open up onto the property's numerous lake-facing terraces, which wrap around the building's exterior. One of the main verandas is home to an impressive alfresco dining area, making the most of the captivating scenery.

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The main open-plan family room is perhaps one of the most enticing spaces in the whole property. As well as sheets of glass, the room benefits from a dramatic suspended fireplace, which hangs over a roaring fire pit, making it the ideal spot to watch the hours melt away during the evenings.

With its amazing location and history, the house was due a revamp and it has recently received a $14 million (£11.3m) renovation. The current owner has carefully re-imagined every space, to give the interior a sympathetic yet contemporary makeover that Harrah himself would be proud of.

Thanks to the latest cash injection, the pad has been finished with the finest materials and plenty of one-of-a-kind additions that you won't find in many other homes around the world. This sense of exclusivity is also in-keeping with Harrah's desire for the property to be the epitome of luxury.

The kitchen is one of the main spaces to have received an extensive facelift and any foodie will fall in love with its grand and ultra-contemporary finish, where stainless steel blends with dark wood cabinetry and slate-coloured fixtures.

Every inch the heart of the home, the kitchen space is equipped with three high-end stainless steel stoves, as well as plenty of seating for dinner party guests. Imagine whipping up a decadent feast for friends and family here – there's even enough space to cater for all of the neighbours, too!

High vaulted ceilings, timber beams and hardwood floors add to the interior's contemporary yet historically sensitive vibe. The home's stylish open-plan living room really showcases this blending of old and new; it comes equipped with a large dining table, a wet bar and, of course, a rather enviable view. In fact, thanks to its extensive wall of glass, and its lake-facing position, this room enjoys nightly sunsets.

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One of the most impressive spaces in the entire house is perhaps the master bathroom. Fitted with vaulted ceilings, this elegant ensuite is made light and bright thanks to an overhead skylight, while a stunning walk-in shower and centralised bathtub make the room entirely luxurious. Fit for a king, this bathroom is like something you might expect to find in a 5-star Las Vegas hotel.

As well as eight main double bedrooms, there is also a cosy snug room kitted out with six bunk beds, capable of accommodating an additional twelve people. Could this be the coolest and best-equipped party house in the world?

Hurrah was a huge petrol head and spent time collecting a duplicate version of every single car ever owned by his family. The William F. Harrah Automobile Museum, located in downtown Reno, showcases these vehicles today. The space is one of the largest car museums on the planet. No wonder then, that Hurrah's former home was kitted out with a luxury six-car garage – the perfect spot for all his guests to park their toys!

The home is built on 0.6 acres of land and has lots of beautifully finished outdoor spaces. There's a heated swimming pool that overlooks the lake, numerous surrounding hot tubs and a cold plunge pool – the only place you'll want to be during those balmy summer days or long, lazy weekends.

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In August 2018, Villa Hurrah was listed for sale for $34.5 million (£28.3m) but today it's on the market for $25.75 million (£20.88m) – so it could be a significant bargain for the right lucky buyer. 

Perhaps the most impressive of these additions can be found below ground. Harrah anticipated that many high-profile guests would come to visit him at the property over the years, and so installed a secret tunnel underneath the house. It ran the length of the property and allowed for celebrities to come and go without the pressure of being snapped by the paparazzi. Today, the tunnel has been sealed off, but could easily be opened up again should its future VIP owner need a clandestine escape route.

To keep visitors entertained during their visit, the home offers numerous entertainment amenities and this private Himalayan Salt cave is maybe the most exciting! The cave is lined in pink salt sourced from Pakistan, known for its therapeutic qualities! Yet this is just one of several beauty rooms in the house. Others include a steam room, a sauna, and a salon for both hair and nails! 

After you've finished meditating or relaxing in the villa's wellness zones, you can head to one of its other luxury offerings, because this house has a space for every whim! From a chic home movie theatre to a cool billiards room, there's been no stone unturned in this pursuit of pleasure.

So, thanks to its esteemed location on the banks of Lake Tahoe, an impressive celebrity history, its 20,000-square-foot interior, dramatic decor, a secret escape tunnel and its luxurious salt cave, Villa Hurrah certainly offers plenty of bang for your buck! What more could you possibly want from your star-friendly lake house?

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