The Hastings Plan Commission reviewed plans Monday night to return the historic Thorwood Estate, gutted by fire in 2017, to its previous splendor.

Property owner Pavel Zakharov is seeking a special use permit to rebuild the property at 315 Pine St. into event space on the main floor with vacation rentals on the second floor and a private residence on the third floor.

“The applicant is the third owner of the property since it was damaged by fire in December of 2017. The applicant has been seeking a building permit for some time, which has required the consultation of a structural engineer and architect that has been developing blueprints at the direction of the city building official,” City Planner Justin Fortney wrote in a memo to the plan commission.

Zakharov met last summer with the Hastings Heritage Preservation Commission, which supported his plans to rebuild the 10,000-square-foot building.

The estate was built by grain dealer and lumber miller William Thompson in 1880, according to the Dakota County Historical Society’s Hastings Heritage Map. In 1929, it became St. Raphael’s Hospital under Dr. Herman Fasbender Sr.

The Thorsen family purchased the French Second Empire mansion in the mid-1970s and operated it as a bed and breakfast for more than 30 years. It was known as Thorwood Rentals & Retreats at the time of the fire. Owners Dick and Pam Thorsen and their daughter and two dogs were able to evacuate the building safely when the fire broke out at 2:30 a.m.

The gathering space on the main floor would accommodate a group of 20-25 people if a special use permit is granted, and Fortney said the property has ample parking available.

Fortney wrote, “The Thorwood Mansion Guesthouse is perfectly equipped to offer the public a uniquely beautiful space for small gatherings. The lower level contains four large rooms, a kitchenette and a restroom, capable of providing guests with an inspiring space for their meetings, book club, photoshoots or any other intimate gathering. Thorwood Mansion Guesthouse will cater to groups no larger than 25 people for a minimum of one hour.”

Hours of operation would by 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Entertainment would be allowed as long as it doesn’t disturb neighbors, under the special use.

The city council will need to grant final special use permit, and the Heritage Preservation Commission has to give final OK to exterior modifications to the structure. If council grants approval, significant work will need to be done to complete the project or the permit is null and void.