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Grain Belt Building to become new event center ‘The 1893’

A rendering of the ballroom inside the proposed The 1893.

The historic Grain Belt Brewery offices in Northeast Minneapolis will be turned into an event center this fall.

The 1893 will be located at 1215 Marshall Street, Entourage Events Group announced Thursday. When complete the 129-year-old building will be transformed into an “event facility featuring the latest in hospitality amenities over multiple levels.”

“We are thrilled to transform this iconic building in a way that will serve the community in a different way,” said Steve Hark, CEO of Entourage Events Group, in an announcement. “This building is a treasure, and we are so grateful to be collaborating with all stakeholders to make these old offices come alive again.”

According to the announcement, Entourage plans to convert the underutilized common space into several private dining rooms, meetings and conference rooms, as well as couple’s suites for weddings. Plans also include renovating Grain Belt’s beer tasting room into a ballroom.

The event center will be located about a mile north of the landmark Grain Belt sign over the Hennepin Avenue bridge between downtown and Northeast Minneapolis.

According to the announcement, repurposing the historic venue is something that will “help to enhance Northeast Minneapolis, once feared to be an abandoned section of the city.”

“I am pleased to see what Entourage is doing to create this site into a destination that those visiting the Northeast Entertainment District will be able to experience the rich history of this building,” said Minneapolis City Council member Michael Rainville in the announcement. “It is exciting to see a building with an iconic past get a facelift that will once again make it a relevant property in our city.”

Entourage currently runs Minneapolis properties including The Armory, Grain Belt Offices, St. Anthony Main and the Walker Library.

Read the Full Article here at Fox 9

Grain Belt Brewery office building in Northeast Minneapolis to become event center

A local event management company is transforming the almost 130-year-old former Grain Belt Brewery office building in Northeast Minneapolis into a multi-level event venue.

Entourage Events Group’s plans include converting the two-story front half of the building, located at 1215 Marshall St. NE, into numerous private dining rooms, meeting and conference rooms and bridal suites, as well as repurposing the back half (once used by Grain Belt as a beer tasting room) into a large ballroom.

CEO Steve Hark said Entourage is taking an iconic but underutilized building in a prime location and breathing new life into it in a way that honors its history and old-school charm. (Similar ingredients are present in other venues where Entourage manages events, such as The Armory in downtown Minneapolis and Minneapolis Event Centers near St. Anthony Main.)

Construction has already begun in anticipation of a fall debut for the venue, dubbed The 1893 at the Historic Grain Belt Office, a nod to the building’s original use and the year it was constructed.

RSP Architects is handling the design and ensuring the building’s historic preservation. The Minneapolis-based firm’s headquarters are across the street in the old Grain Belt Brew House.

The nearly 20,000-square-foot building was last renovated in 2014, following more than a decade of vacancy, and had most recently been used as a leasing office and amenity space for the adjacent Grain Belt Apartments. Grain Belt Apartments LLC owns both the apartment complex and the office building. It was an extensive renovation that cost millions of dollars, according to Hark, who said the latest buildout is expected to cost about $500,000. It will be funded by both Entourage and the building’s owner.

Entourage will begin hosting events, including weddings and corporate gatherings, at The 1893 in October. The venue is now accepting bookings and already has scheduled a handful of events.

Read the full article here at The Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal

5 Tips For Choosing The Perfect Wedding Venue

Planning a wedding in the Twin Cities involves countless decisions, but one of the first choices you’ll have to make along the way is where you and your future spouse will tie the knot. After all, you can’t pick a wedding day until you’ve found a venue that can accommodate you and your guests on a given day. Because it’s one of the first big decisions you’ll be making, picking out a venue can be a bit intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be if you know what to look for in a wedding venue. Below, we share five tips that will help you find the perfect venue for your wedding in Minneapolis / St. Paul.

1. Ceremony & Reception In The Same Place?

One of the first things you’ll want to consider is if you want to have the ceremony and reception in the same location. Some people want a ceremony in a church or location that has special meaning for the couple, while others want the ceremony and reception in the same location so that guests don’t have to travel between multiple locations. Regardless of what decision you make, know that all of our venues have the option to host both the ceremony and reception, or just the reception.

2. Indoor Or Outdoor?

Do you want to get married outside, or do you want to ensure bad weather doesn’t ruin your ceremony by keeping everything indoors? Minnesota experiences all four seasons, so even if you try to pick a day where the weather should be beautiful, there’s no guarantee Mother Nature will comply. If you want to try for an outdoor wedding, consider choosing a venue that can easily adapt to the weather conditions on short notice and move your ceremony inside if need be. Both The Grand 1858 and The View have indoor and outdoor ceremony options, allowing you to have peace of mind that no matter the weather, your wedding will go on as scheduled.

3. Know Your Style

When it comes to choosing a wedding venue, you want one that fits your style. Are you looking for a venue with a rustic vibe, featuring original wood floors, exposed brick and plenty of natural lighting? We recommend The View. Maybe you’d prefer a reception hall with an open floor plan that elegantly blends historic and modern touches? If so, The Grand 1858 may be the perfect option. Or if you want to wow guests with tall ceilings and a stunning view of both downtown and the riverfront, might we recommend The Riverside. Look for a venue that encompasses you and your spouse’s style.

4. Food, Decor & More

A venue is just a venue until it’s transformed by your personal touch and choices. You’re going to be picking out decor, linens, centerpieces, flower arrangements and lighting, not to mention the menu and drink options. You can certainly make all those choices with the help of your spouse-to-be, or you can connect with an events group and let them help you with the process. At Entourage Events Group, we specialize in iconic weddings that are unique to the couple, and we love to blend our creativity with your personality. Connecting with an events team that can help organize and assist with all of the elements that actually go into producing the perfect ceremony venue, reception hall or dinner can take some of the stress off your plate while also giving you peace of mind to know that your decor and dining will be on point.

5. Book Early

The earlier you start contacting potential venues about availability, the better, especially if you’re hoping for a shorter engagement. Wedding venues, especially in the Twin Cities, tend to book fast, so you can’t afford to drag your feet. Schedule a tour or contact our events team to learn about our availability to see if we can find a date and venue that works perfect for you.

For more information, or if you’d like to learn more about booking a wedding at one of our fantastic locations, head on over to our contact page or give our team a call today at (612) 564-3777.

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