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Thorne Island Fortress Listed at £3 Million After Off-Grid Renovation

The Grade II-listed Napoleonic fort is offered for around £3 million after its owner spent five years fitting off-grid utilities alongside a helipad and private nightclub.

Overview

  • Estate agent Strutt & Parker is inviting offers for the island, which is listed at around £3 million and has not yet attracted a buyer.
  • Former software CEO Mike Conner purchased the derelict 19th-century fort for £555,000 in 2017 and spent five years transforming it into a self-sufficient estate.
  • The 2.5-acre property now boasts more than 8,000 square feet of living space, featuring five bedrooms, a helipad and a private nightclub.
  • Conner envisions the site serving as a retreat or venue for large events and estimates it could accommodate up to 800 guests without disturbing neighbors.
  • Renovation work required complex logistics, including helicoptering in materials and a £200,000 biodigester installation that involved cutting through 16 feet of rock.