Talis, a Latin word meaning so excellent, so great or simply so, is an apt name for the 11,000-square-foot estate overlooking Lake Coeur d’Alene.
The $19.5 million mansion for sale at 4579 E. Plum Road, perched atop a hill and behind gates in Syringa Heights, feels secluded and private on its 3.77-acre lot, yet is only 10 minutes from downtown Coeur d’Alene. At the end of June the price dropped by $1.5 million.
The home took three years to build, said Eugene Winter, founder of Gold Star Construction of Liberty Lake and builder of Talis. He’s seen the Talis architectural plan come to life in Park City, Utah, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, but the estate is the first of his floor plans in Idaho.
“It’s kind of a culmination of some of the influences I’ve had in my career,” Winter said.
Every detail of the home is carefully considered, and materials are put together to create what Winter calls “Mountain West” style. The home combines luxury and nature, using trees from around the world and natural stone from Montana. Trusses and other wooden products were made in Winter’s workshop.
The ultra-luxurious 2026 Talis, which has been on the market for two months, is indicative of a trend in Coeur d’Alene real estate. Multimillion-dollar homes, often used as resorts or second homes, are leading the city market, said Keri McCombs, a real estate agent and co-owner of Re/Max Inland Empire.
The median home price in Coeur d’Alene is $607,842, according to Zillow. Homes near the lake typically cost more than $1 million, but Talis’ price stands out among the $5 and $10 million homes.
The city attracts clients from California, Oregon, Washington and even Europe. North Idaho attracts buyers for more than just its beautiful scenery, McCombs said. Idaho offers buyers privacy that neighboring states cannot provide.
“Idaho is a no-gag state, which means if someone wants to buy real estate without their identity, they can find a way to do it,” she said.
Privacy is a desirable feature for many potential homebuyers in Coeur d’Alene, and luxury homes often provide a sense of privacy without being far from modern conveniences such as airports, restaurants and shopping.
States such as Idaho, Wyoming and Nevada are also attracting big buyers from the West because of their attractive tax systems, said Chris Neu, the Sotheby’s real estate agent leading the sale of Talis.
“California, Oregon and Washington are penalizing high-income owners or people with estates and a lot of wealth,” he said. “They’re smart, and they’ll vote with their feet, and they’re voting right now. They’re leaving these states with these large assets or wealth and coming here.”
Ney described the buyer interested in estates like Talis as having a “quiet money” aesthetic. Potential buyers likely own multiple properties throughout the United States and will likely use Talis as a secondary home.
“They’re not the type to brag,” he said. “They don’t want parties and big parades and all that. They want to be a little more remote, which is part of the discrete nature of the home.”
Compared to other luxury resale markets such as Telluride, CO; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; and Big Sky, Montana; Coeur d’Alene is still in the early stages of luxury real estate development, making large property purchases cheaper compared to other resort towns, Noah said. Buying property on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene is an investment that is likely to appreciate as development continues.
“We’re still 25% to 40% below what these markets are asking for, so if a person is looking at the long-term play, like a 10-plus year investment plan, you buy low right now and it’s going to be a really good idea,” he said.
In the meantime, investors can enjoy Talis’ architectural masterpiece or one of Winter’s other luxury properties he’s building in the neighborhood, like Aria and Roxana.
“Coeur d’Alene, as vibrant as it is and as vibrant as it is, I feel like it’s still being discovered,” Winter said.
The thalis opens to a hallway with 30-foot palace-like ceilings. The width of the foyer is overwhelming and mimics the enormous lake views that can be seen from the floor-to-ceiling windows in the great room.
The home has six bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms. Divided into two levels, the 5,500 square foot upper level features a foyer, living room, catering kitchen, pantry, pantry/laundry room, dining room, bar, junior suite, office, powder room and a luxurious main wing. The large main wing features a walk-in closet, laundry room and full bath with a soaking tub. The master bedroom opens to a private balcony with access to the outdoor living area overlooking Lake Coeur d’Alene.
On the lower level there is a laundry-utility room, living room, kitchen, secret room, two junior suites, a guest bathroom, a multi-purpose room with a dressing room, a gym with a sauna and a wine room. The infrared spa in the gym is steps away from the temperature-controlled wine room, a key feature of the home.
Both the upper and lower levels have access to the backyard via a patio or balcony and stairs. Just like inside, the outdoor living space is grand.
The spa and saltwater pool are the main attractions at the edge of the hotel, with views of the hill and Lake Coeur d’Alene. In winter, the patio is also heated and offers scenic views of the snow-covered lakefront.