Wedding and event planning operator Bellagala last week debuted its newest venue Equestria West, a luxury events space formed from a renovated horse stable in Chaska. The property, which is located in Bellagala’s Bavaria Downs venue campus, is equipped to host between 50-1,000 guests.

Construction took place beginning of September 2022 and concluded before the venue’s first wedding in June 2023. The new venue neighbors Bellagala’s Edward Anne Estate, which also is located in Bavaria Downs.

Already, the Equestria West venue has several weddings under its belt, with 2024 beginning to be booked out. Bellagala chief operating officer JJ Maleitzke said this all points to a strong events industry right now.

“There are a significant number of events happening around the Twin Cities right now. Just look at our local communities and businesses, and it’s easy to find a number of events happening in any given week,” said Maleitzke in an email. “Not only are we finding our venues are booking more personal events, but businesses are also planning more company-wide events at our venues.”

The renovation maintains the stable’s original size of 24,000 square feet and horseshoe shape but was completely renovated from floor to ceiling–a complete overhaul starting from a dirt ground, said Maleitzke. Some Bellagala add-ons include two grand ballrooms, private suites, an indoor-outdoor bar, a courtyard, gardens, and multiple ceremony locations, according to a news release. The venue also has solar panel technology integrated into the venue.

D’Amico Catering will serve as the exclusive food, beverage, and service provider for Equestria West, expanding on a partnership that began in 2018 when Bellagala opened the Edward Anne Estate.

“With versatile indoor-outdoor spaces, and exquisite features at every turn, Equestria West was designed with pure elegance in mind,” said venue director Ann Grant in the release. “From intimate gatherings to grand affairs, the property can be booked to fit a myriad of events and weddings with effortless sophistication.”

Bellagala has two other venue campuses in addition to its venues in Bavaria Downs. When it comes to adding more venues to its roster, there’s nothing concrete yet, according to Maleitzke.

“We are open to exploring other venue options depending on market and industry conditions as we truly love what we do, and that’s providing a one-of-a-kind experience and helping make planning the event as easy and convenient as possible for the customer,” said Maleitzke.

For information on all things venue in the Twin Cities, check out TCB’s 2023 Meetings and Events Venues Guide.