by Jewel Pickert

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Property records show that Thorwood at 315 Pine St. is owned by Beneficial Investments, LLC.

John Hinzman, the Community Development Director, said the owners are planning to renovate the 10,000 square-foot building in the spring of 2021. No other word yet on specific intentions.

On 12-14-2017 at around 2:30 a.m., RiverTown Multimedia reported that firefighters were called for an activated alarm; however, the homeowner had already put out the fire before their arrival.

This fire had ignited a wall covering when a boiler unit malfunctioned. A thermal-imaging camera confirmed the fire was extinguished.

Then, around 5:30 a.m., there was another fire call. This time about 1/3 of the roof had already burned when firefighters arrived. Most of the fire was out by noon.

The cause was undetermined. The state fire marshal was asked to assist in the investigation.

Owners Dick and Pam Thorsen, along with their daughter and two dogs, were able to evacuate the building safely.

The Thorsens had purchased the French Second Empire Mansion around 1977 and had served guests at their bed and breakfast for 30+ years.

According to the Dakota County Historical Society’s Hastings Heritage Map, “William Thompson, grain dealer and lumber miller, built this house in 1880. In 1929, it became St. Raphael’s Hospital under Dr. Herman Fasbender, Sr.” Thus, it became known as the Thompson- Fasbender House before it was called Thorwood Bed & Breakfast.

At the time of the fire, it was known as Thorwood Rentals & Retreats. Then it had been renovated into three luxury condos.

The building has sat idle ever since the fire. Wait until spring to see more change there.

The Thorwood Property at 315 Pine St. Photos taken by Jewel Pickert