Drink in the view and top design

Philanthropists John and Wendy Thorsen haven’t put a price guide on their sprawling Brisbane home but the last one to sell in their street fetched $15m. And this one comes with all the toys.

The owners plan to travel more but also spend time with family.

If you’re looking for the best Mai Tai in Brisbane, your first stop should be the Boat Shed at home along the river at Hawthorne.

There, you will likely find John and Wendy Thorsen, who are living life as if they were on a perpetual holiday in Hawaii.

The retired philanthropists purchased the five-bedroom property in 2016 and have given it a complete facelift, with the help of luxury interior designer Tonie Robertson.

John and Wendy Thorsen take in the riverfront view. Picture: Jeff Camden

“A lot of our inspiration for the house is from travels, like so many people,” said Wendy. “I’ve been to Portofino and saw all those big tall Mediterranean houses.”

John added: “We had a boat in Italy on the Italian Riviera. We spent a lot of time cruising around the place. So you get this inspiration for styles and gardens.”

Don’t be confused. The Boat Shed is more like a guesthouse, with plenty of space around the bespoke bar fitted out by a local shipwright to party on or stay the night. Wendy wanted it to give the same feeling as stepping into her favourite restaurant and bar in Hawaii, Tommy Bahama.

An aerial view of 102 Virginia Ave, Hawthorne.

“The only thing missing is the surfboards,” Wendy laughed.

It is just one of the home’s several social spaces that step up from the river’s edge to the main home, perched high to take in the peaceful views of water traffic.

The grand foyer was designed to be reminiscent of the glamorous Plaza and Palm Room in New York, where they stayed while attending one of jewellery store Tiffany’s annual Blue Book events. It is complemented by the adjoining vestibule entry, where the couple enjoy their coffee each morning looking down the path of jasmine-covered arbours.

The property’s design oozes style and class.

However, the Thorsens will soon be calling last drinks on their time at the retreat in the heart of the city. They plan to spend more time at their acreage property in New Zealand and have “right sized” to another property in Brisbane.

They have enlisted Place New Farm principal Sarah Hackett to sell the Hawthorne home, which she has already sold twice before. A best-offer campaign is being run, with final figures due by Tuesday, September 19.

The cart is included. Picture: Jeff Camden / Supplied

While no price guide has been provided, a property of a similar calibre along the tightly held street sold for $15m last year.

The club cart that is used to shuffle people from the front gate to the rear of the home is included in the sale, with all the bespoke furniture chosen for the property also on offer.

The couple have invested millions of dollars into medical research, inspired by a close friend with a serious illness.

“It’s just so rewarding,” Wendy said. “You start talking with these doctors about what they’re trying to achieve here. They will send you a list of about 20 different things, and it is just the most incredible research.”

The furniture currently in the home is being offered as part of the sale.

They like to be hands on when it comes to choosing the projects to fund, and finding joy through vicariously helping others.

One of the things they have loved about the home was sharing it. Their three grandchildren who live in Australia have dubbed it “Virginia Park”, and love splashing around in the magnesium pool, playing in the topiary garden or monkeying around on the gated front lawns.

The home includes a central lift connecting each of the levels in the main residence.

The couple spent a substantial amount of money to implement an award-winning technological upgrade throughout the house, which included a significant security fit-out and audiovisual installations, including CCTV. Five Tesla batteries in the garage were the most recent additions.

Looking forward, the couple hope to travel more and spend time with their family.