Category: Borelli Testimonials

What to Do When Your Home is Haunted!

As an architect firm that has been designing and remodeling homes in the Lake Tahoe and Truckee region for over 30 years, we always look forward to hearing about clients’ homes, or property, that may be haunted! And as the area overflows with beautiful old homes in particular along the lake, why wouldn’t some of them still be occupied by residents gone-by?

In addition, many of the shoreline properties were the summer grounds and burial grounds of the Washoe (Native American) tribes. In fact, history notes that their heritage within the High Sierra dates back over 90,000 years.

With Halloween around the corner, we thought it would certainly be appropriate to lend some insight to our fans about haunted homes – and what to do, or not to do, if your home is indeed ‘occupied’ by spirits unknown.

In a recent article posted by RIS Media, entitled Home Haunted? they shared some interesting insight that we are sending along to you right now.

“Among the more than 2,000 U.S. homeowners that were surveyed by realtor.com®, 13 percent said they believe they live in a haunted house currently and, among them, more than half (56 percent) say they have not considered moving.

“Haunted houses typically draw big crowds this time of year, but we wanted to see how many people actually believe they live in one,” said Lexie Holbert, realtor.com® housing and lifestyle expert. “Although only a small percentage of respondents indicated they believe their home is haunted, it was surprising to see how many are comfortable sharing their space with spirits.”

Another interesting takeaway from the survey is the fact that among the respondents who believe they currently live in a home that’s haunted, Northeasterners were the most comfortable living with spirits (76 percent), followed by those in the West (57 percent), the South (51 percent) and the Midwest (35 percent).”

What to do if your home is haunted?

Click into this link from ISoldMyHouse.com. It will take you to a page that will tell you all about their partnership with and exorcist who can rid your home of those spirits that share your space!

Boo!

James P. Borelli
Founder/Principal
Borelli Architecture
Lake Tahoe / Truckee
jim@borelliarchitecture.com
775.831.3060

Your Input Sought for New Tahoe Transportation Plan

It’s a sheer delight to bring you good news today from our architectural office in Lake Tahoe/Truckee. this past week, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency posted a link to its Transporation Plan which is now available for your review and input. The plan addressed recreation and scenic resources, water and air quality, and other important issues.

For those of us who have lived in the area for years, this is a great opportunity to provide advice based on our years of experience of living in the High Sierra.

For those who are new to the region, it’s also a terrific way to share your experience as a new resident to the region.

To get you started, click into the TRPA Transportation Plan right here.

According to a news article, over 8,500 individuals were involved in creating the plan. Insight was also obtained from what they have called a ‘bi-state’ consultation group that is involved in transportation. This partnership included the California Natural Resources Agency and the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

According to TRPA, “Tahoe’s transportation system should meet the daily needs of transit‐dependent riders and employees, make it easier for recreational travelers to use transit and assure visitors they can get around without their cars.”

The post offered more details to what you will read about within the Transportation Plan

Transit: Adding services to provide 15‐minute service between town centers and recreation destinations, 30‐to 60‐minute service between neighborhoods and town centers, and inter‐regional service for commuters and visitors from neighboring regions.

Technology: Connecting people with information about the many ways to travel around the region, providing better data and analysis, and ensuring charging facilities are available for electric vehicles.

Trails: Increasing trips by foot and bike by providing through walking and biking routes.

Communities and Corridors: Bringing plan elements together with a corridor planning framework connecting workers to jobs, visitors to recreation, and residents to town centers, housing, and recreation.

Public hearings will be held at the end of September and beginning of October. The plan will be considered for adoption by the agency governing boards in November.

If you want more details, or to make your comments heard, connect with Michelle Glickert at mglickert@trpa.org.

James P. Borelli
Founder/Principal
Borelli Architecture
Lake Tahoe / Truckee
jim@borelliarchitecture.com
775.831.3060

Tips on How to Remodel a Room into the Perfect Office Space

Luxury Tahoe Home Design by Borelli Architecture in Incline Village, Nevada - Tahoe Truckee Martis Camp Lahontan Clear Creek Architect

With most of the USA working at home these days, our architectural firm in Lake Tahoe, NV has received quite a few calls about our remodeling services in Incline Village, Truckee, and throughout the Lake. What is enjoyable for us, is the opportunity to seize the moment to help our clients live a more well-balanced life – at home.

As this is a hot topic, we are taking this time to give you some tips on how to remodel a room or unused space in your home into a comfortable environment in which to continue your career.

Take an inventory of your home’s ‘space’. Do you have a room that is used just for clutter-keeping? What about a spot just off the porch? Maybe you have become empty-nesters and have a room or two that would be ideal for your new office?

Get Professional Advice. Once you have established the options, give us a call at Borelli Architecture. We are happy to offer a complimentary visit to discuss the ideal use, and remodeling, of your home to accommodate your new world. And, as a bonus, we offer interior design services as well through Kelly Borelli Interiors.

Establish The Best Option. Working as a team, we will review the options with you and provide our advice according to the preferred room’s location. In many instances, our clients need space for not just one office, yet two or more. Take a look at the photo above; it’s a prime example of how adding a wall, or removing a few walls, can achieve many objectives.

Assess the structural design. Sometimes what seems to be the best option is not the best at all. Within the decision-making process, we will review the room’s structure, HVAC and electrical capabilities, window opportunities (to enjoy that fresh Sierra air), and safe egress and access.

Review Other Opportunities. In addition to remodeling a room for an office, what about taking the opportunity to add additional features that you have always wanted in your home. How about a library or large shelving to display some of your favorite memories or awards? Maybe it would be nice to have a kitchenette with room for a coffee pot, mini-fridge, or sink? Some of our clients have also requested our office remodel design to include space for a Murphy bed – to accommodate guests.

Ready. Set. Go. Once you have confirmed your desires, you can move forward with confidence to confirm the costs, timeline, and estimated “Grand Opening” of your new office!

Please never hesitate to give us a call to discuss your ideas for remodeling your home. We’d be happy to help design a new and inspirational setting for your new office space in your home.

James P. Borelli
Founder/Principal
Borelli Architecture
Lake Tahoe / Truckee
jim@borelliarchitecture.com
775.831.3060

Record Number of Tech Companies Moving to Northern Nevada

With this being our last blog of the year, we thought we’d follow the trends to do a recap of some of the biggest highlights of the region. Hands-down is the explosive interest in businesses and families moving to Northern Nevada.

And that’s all good news for our architect firm in Incline Village, NV on Lake Tahoe’s North Shore that offers architectural services for residential and commercial properties.

To pull the whole year together in a short blog (we know you’re busy) I’ve taken some excerpts from a recent article re: “Record Number of Tech Companies Relocate to Reno/Sparks” as published in NORTHERN NEVADA BUSINESS VIEW

Go ahead and read on … and when you’re ready to purchase some land in Nevada and need a seasoned, local, Lake Tahoe architect to design your new mountain home or lakefront estate, reach out at any time.

RECORD NUMBER OF TECH COMPANIES RELOCATING TO NEVADA

It’s no secret the greater Reno-Sparks economy saw a surge of tech companies plug into the region in 2018.

That was no more apparent than at the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada’s “New and Expanded Companies” welcome reception Thursday, Dec. 6, at the Peppermill in Reno.

This year saw a record number of tech companies (11) and corporate headquarters (15) stake flags in the region. Technology-related businesses made up the largest segment of companies assisted by EDAWN, according to a press release.

One of those tech companies honored Dec. 6 was Talage , a software firm that provides a digital marketplace for small business insurance. Over the summer, the company set up its headquarters on South Wells Avenue in Reno.

“All the things EDAWN’s been striving to do the past few years, I think they’re backing it up,” Adam Kiefer, Talage CEO and cofounder, told the NNBV. “And Reno is making that shift from essentially a transportation, warehousing hub to a legitimate tech player. And I think we’re starting to make moves. We’ve got a long way to go. I think the more people that can move real headquarters and build real startups here … I think it’s big steps in the right direction.”

In closing, Mike Kazmierski, president, and CEO of EDAWN, said in a statement:

“The new opportunities this creates for our workforce are sure to have a positive impact for generations to come and I couldn’t be more excited.”

Our team at Borelli Architecture and Kelly Borelli Interior Design couldn’t have said it better!

Here’s to a very healthy and prosperous new year!

James P. Borelli
Founder/Principal
Borelli Architecture
Lake Tahoe / Truckee
jim@borelliarchitecture.com
775.831.3060

Build a Home. Work From Home. Live Happily Ever After.

With the exposive attraction of the region from Millenials, to the Boomers who have had their heart set to move to a quaint community town, Lake Tahoe and Truckee are seeing the light. When you skim the websites of our papers, every week you will see articles about how our local Chamber of Commerce, Visitor’s Bureau, and Economic Development Committees are workingi24/7 to bring new businesses to town, and new services to support our new residents’ needs.

Our improved air service is one fine example.

New Private, Semi-Private Air Services Expanding in Reno/Tahoe

It didn’t take long for several private and semi-private air service providers to recognize the growth in population in the Truckee and Lake Tahoe region. For those of us who have lived here for quite some time, that’s no secret to us as well.

Families and young professionals who have the ability to work virtually are moving to the High Sierra and calling it home.

As a professional architectural firm in Incline Village, we have seen the growth first-hand – which has been spurred by the ability for anyone to work from anywhere on the planet. So why not build a home or lakeside estate and wrap your business within the magnificent views that only Lake Tahoe and Truckee can offer.

Come and Go as You Please

With private air travel becoming more popular, North Lake Tahoe continues to embrace and improve the Tahoe Truckee Airport (KTRK). The following companies provide private air services from locations throughout the West.

MountainLionAviation.com
GaryAir.com
SurfAir.com
WheelsUp.com

JetSuiteX Lands in Reno, NV

Just this month, JetSuiteX landed its wheels for operation out of the Reno’s Atlantic Aviation. As a recent press announcement noted:

“It hopes to lure travelers over from commercial with promises of no lines, cramped seats or baggage fees — and a free cocktail.”

The article further explained that the startup airline, an offshoot of the private charter jet company JetSuite, launched in 2016 under the guide of former JetBlue executive Alex Wilcox.

“Targeting fliers weary from the frustrating realities of modern air travel, JetSuiteX’s charter-style service offers rates that are on average $40 more than standard commercial flights. JetSuiteX passengers show up 15 minutes before the flight at a private terminal and board the 30-person aircraft, boasting seats with 36-inches of legroom, where they receive a free drink and snack.”

If you are interested in learning more about the region’s economic development groups and what they may be able to provide you and your business, feel free to reach out at any time.

Our architect firm that services Truckee and the Lake Tahoe area has many connections to help you connect to a life where you may indeed … live happily ever after.

Contact me at any time!

James P. Borelli
Founder/Principal
Borelli Architecture
Truckee / Lake Tahoe
jim@borelliarchitecture.com
775.831.3060

Like the Great Outdoors? You’ll Love this New Website for Eco Enthusiasts!

(Photo was taken on Tunnel Creek Trail – just above the new SR 28 Shared Use Path
a.k.a. “America’s Most Beautiful Bike Path – opening 2019)

Before I launch into my blogs, I like to poke around in the local Lake Tahoe news to see if there might be anything of interest to my clients and friends who love the lake as much as we do.

Professionally, we’re always keeping our eyes open for environmental issues, and with good reason. As a Lake Tahoe architect firm, we honor and respect the delicate nature of our environment and vital rules and regulations that come with designing and building a home or commercial property in the Lake Tahoe and Truckee regions.

Personally, we are all very excited about the new website developed by TakeCareTahoe.org.

Thanks to more than 20 environmental organizations in the Tahoe Region, there is an excellent selection of information about environmental-friendly festivals, beach clean-up events, wildflower hikes, and then some. They also showcase over a dozen locations where people can learn more about the history, science, and environment of Lake Tahoe.

According to their website:

“Take Care is a group of organizations that love Lake Tahoe and strives to make it easier for people to find fun and interesting ways to learn more about Tahoe. Working together, the group launched the newly redesigned and easy-to-use Takecaretahoe.org – a single information source for all environmental education activities. The funding for the new site was made possible by a grant from AT&T.”

“Beach cleanups, wildflower hikes, insightful discussions, and environmentally-friendly festivals are just a few of the opportunities people can find on the new site.”

“Timely information on all the latest environmental events and volunteer opportunities around the lake is also available, with a search feature that allows people to find activities during specific timeframes. People can also discover information on more than a dozen centers where they can spend time learning more about the science, history, and environment of Tahoe.”

If you are thinking about building or remodeling a home in Truckee or North Lake Tahoe, we are always ready to share information about the Tahoe Basin’s Best Management Practices (BMP’s), Washoe County and Placer County Building Permits, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Feasibility Studies, and other important initiatives that must occur as part of the overall architectural design and building process.

For a full list of our Lake Tahoe and Truckee architectural services and environmental planning assistance, just visit our website now.

By the way, I took the picture above just last week on a great hike up Tunnel Creek Trail in Incline Village. It overlooks the new State Route 28 Shared Use Path that upon completion in 2019 will be “America’s Most Beautiful Bike Path.” Want to know about other local projects underway?

Contact me at any time!

James P. Borelli
Founder/Principal
Borelli Architecture
Truckee / Lake Tahoe
jim@borelliarchitecture.com
775.831.3060

LAKE TAHOE MORE THAN JUST A BEAUTIFUL LAKE, ADDS TO HOME VALUES

Although most of my blogs have been created to enlighten you about real estate trends and the intricacies of building or remodeling a home in the Truckee region and Lake Tahoe Basin, I’ve decided to step away from the norm to share a story that I recently read in Lake Tahoe This Week. The article is titled “25 Amazing Aspects to Lake Tahoe.”

When I read the story, it reminded me as to why my wife, Kelly, and I have worked hard to make a good living in a land that is indeed one of the most spectacular treasures on Earth. I’ll give credit right now to its author, Shanie Matthews, who started the article with accolades for this Gem that without a doubt, adds value to investing in land or property within the Lake Tahoe Basin…

“If you read through my blog posts, you know that one thing is absolutely clear: I truly believe Lake Tahoe is an amazing place. With so many positive points, its exquisiteness can be overwhelming. The way that the mountains create a mesmerizing frame to an ever-changing face of a moody lake is reminiscent of Europe in many ways.”

Highlights of the 25 Amazing Aspects to Lake Tahoe

I suggest you read the whole story, yet in the meantime, Kelly and I selected a few of the highlights that were of personal interest to us:

Lake Tahoe is aging gracefully, clocking in at 2 million years old!
Lake Tahoe is unique in that it is endothermic basin. This means that it drains into the Truckee River and instead of flowing toward the ocean as most rivers do, it flows east into the mountains with a final destination in Pyramid Lake.
Lake Tahoe is one of the purest water lakes in the world, with the water coming in at 99.994% pure (this is close to distilled water that is 99.998% pure).
Our year-round, long-term population for the basin is 53,000 people. This number surges during the peak seasons and can hit 300,000 people.
Lake Tahoe is surrounded by five peaks that are over 9,000 feet, including Rubicon Peak (9,183’), Mt Tallac (9,735’), Pyramid Peak (9,985’), Mt Rose ((10,778’) and Freel Peak (10,881’).
The lighthouse located on Rubicon Trail was once considered the world’s highest working lighthouse.
Crystal Bay is the deepest part of Lake Tahoe, measuring in at a staggering1,645 feet below the surface (a depth that would swallow the Empire State Building).
Lake Tahoe tap water has been named the best tasting tap water in the United States.
There are 63 different tributaries that release water into Lake Tahoe, but only one release valve, being the Truckee River.
And a real favorite that we have yet to see ourselves … There is reported to be a Loch Ness-type monster that lives in Lake Tahoe. Her name is Tessie.

If you ever want to know more about the Lake Tahoe Basin, feel free to contact us at any time. We have been running our architecture firm and interior design companies in Lake Tahoe, and the Truckee region, for over 30 years.

Best to you,

Jim& Kelly Borelli

James P. Borelli
Founder/Principal
Borelli Architecture
Truckee / Lake Tahoe
jim@borelliarchitecture.com
775.831.3060

Kelly Borelli
Kelly Borelli Interiors
Truckee / Lake Tahoe
775.831.3060