Pharmacy chain founder Don Gardiner’s massive riverfront mansion sold

A Brisbane riverfront mansion listed by a major pharmacy chain’s founder has sold after more than a year on the market.

Don Gardiner and his wife Colleen put their Hawthorne mansion up for sale in August of 2023. The five-bedroom, six-bathroom home at 98 Virginia Ave was listed by Sarah Hackett with Place New Farm, who described it as a “once in a lifetime” opportunity for its potential buyer.

The property was promoted throughout the sale as buyers above $20 million, finally being sold on December 27.

98 Virginia Ave, Hawthorne, was first listed for sale in 2023, before selling in December 2024.

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The home was promoted as seeking buyers above $20 million.

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Don Gardiner was known for founding Don Gardiner Chemists, consisting of 10 pharmacies. It was one of the last major independent pharmacy chains in Queensland, before it was divided and sold in 2000.

Mr Gardiner and his wife Colleen had lived in the property for more than thirty years, buying it in 1991. Coming home to a colonial Queenslander in need of renovations, the couple decided to knock it down for an entirely new build.

“It took us a couple of years to work out what to do with it,” Mr Gardiner said, when they initially listed the home.

“It was beautiful on the outside but needed a lot of work on the inside, so eventually we sold the house for removal and built a home that incorporated everything we wanted.”

The five-bedroom, six-bathroom property has a jetty leading out to the Brisbane River.

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Pharmacy chain founder Don Gardiner and his wife Colleen knocked down the colonial Queenslander on the property, making a new build where it stood.

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The three-storey home has 20m of river frontage by the Brisbane River, complete with a swimming pool and a tennis court Mrs Gardiner would use for events.

“I have a group of friends who play tennis here every Tuesday morning and they have done for 20 years,” Mrs Gardiner said. “We’ve also hosted a couple of charity functions and had up to 160 people here at the one time.”

“Really, you couldn’t do any better for entertaining,” Mr Gardiner said.

Up to 160 people have been present at once in the home’s many entertainment spaces.

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The mansion’s new build was designed to take full advantage of the riverfront views.

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The home was built to take advantage of the view, from living rooms and master suites with views of the city to a rooftop terrace that admires Greater Brisbane.

“There’s an unbelievable view from that rooftop terrace, and it’s a great place to sit, enjoy the quiet and take in the surrounds,” Mr Gardiner said.

After thirty years of enjoying its lifestyle – along with hosting events like their daughter’s wedding reception – the couple said they were looking to downsize after the home was sold.

The agent for the property declined to comment on the sale.