Transformed a small UK island purchased for £500k into a £3m party destination, featuring a nightclub within a historic fortress.
Thorne Island Fort Transformed into Exclusive Party Destination
Thorne Island, a historic Napoleonic fort located off the coast of Pembrokeshire, Wales, has undergone a remarkable transformation in the past few years. In 2017, former software CEO Mike Conner purchased the derelict fort for £555,000 and invested over £2 million in a five-year restoration project.
The fort, originally built between 1852 and 1854 to protect the Milford Haven harbor during the Napoleonic era, now stands as a luxury party island complete with a private nightclub, event spaces, and modern amenities. The extensive restoration required about 350 helicopter trips to bring in building materials, preserving the fort's historic granite structure.
Today, the island offers a highly exclusive, private atmosphere due to its isolation and unique blend of historic significance with contemporary nightlife. The fortress, now boasting a helipad, rooftop bar, and a nightclub, is poised to attract tourists and cater to private parties, corporate retreats, or themed experiences.
The island, which can accommodate up to 800 guests, was once a 100-man fort designed to protect the port of Milford Haven from naval attacks in the 1850s. After decades as a hotel and a period of abandonment, it lay derelict for 17 years before its restoration began.
During the renovation project, Mike Connor, 52, spent a significant amount of time on the island. Workmen had to wash in the sea and charge their phones using a generator. The fortress, which had no electricity or water supply when Mike purchased it, now features all the modern conveniences one would expect in a luxury destination.
The island hosted a festival for Mike's 50th birthday party, with a tight rope performer entertaining guests above the courtyard. Now, Mike envisions the fort as a tourist attraction or a venue for large events. The fortress even comes complete with its own helipad for ease of access to the remote island fortress.
The historic fortress is now back on the market for £3 million, reflecting its unique appeal as a ready-made, exclusive party destination. The huge refurbishment project, which included installing flushing toilets and other basic jobs, ended up costing a fortune.
While Thorne Island is up for sale, another opportunity to own a coastal property is available through the Omaze Million Pound House Draw. The draw offers a chance to win a coastal house in Cornwall, with direct access to the South West Coastal Path, and £250,000 in cash. This separate offer, however, does not involve the Thorne Island fortress.
The luxury party island, once a 100-man fort, has been transformed from a derelict historic fort into a destination with modern amenities, such as a private nightclub and rooftop bar, catering to home-and-garden endeavors like exclusive events and themed experiences. The island, now complete with all necessary infrastructure and a helipad, boasts a unique lifestyle blend of historical significance and contemporary nightlife.
