Synclaire Sophistication

Re-emerging from the historic 1900s Stone Building in the heart of downtown Fargo is the Synclaire Events Venue, harkened into its glow-up era by Jenna Pokrzywinski and her husband, Zach. With a limited budget and leap of faith, the couple embarked on an eight-month renovation of this prime historic property, where their venue dreams became a stunning reality. In this issue, we travel from archives to archways, where you're invited to the marriage of historic grandeur and modern-day opulence.

by TRACY NICHOLSON
photos by DAN FRANCIS PHOTOGRAPHY + EVENT IMAGES BY FLORAPINE, MADI HOPE, ABBY ANDERSON

RENOVATION
The historic Stone building in downtown Fargo has led many illustrious lives since 1910, first as C.R. Stone Block Bank, then in the late 19th Century, Stone's Music House and Stone's Piano Company. In 1989, the Classical Revival building underwent its first major renovation that would open the doors to the Avalon Events Center, which operated in this location until 2014. By 2022, the 20,000-square-foot Stone building was owned by Kilbourne Group and ready for its third revival. As fate would have it, Jenna Pokrzywinski was also ready, preparing to chase her long-time dream across all three stories. With a creative fusion of historic preservation and mid-century modern design, she envisioned preservation within a brighter palette as the new backdrop of weddings and event celebrations.

North Dakota State Archives

On September 8, 2023, Jenna signed the Stone building lease with the intent to purchase in year two. Three months later, she officially kicked off renovation plans alongside her husband Zach, PLC Contracting, and Min Ko Construction. Although the building had been beautifully preserved, Jenna envisioned a meticulous transformation from 1990s trends to a lighter and brighter 1900s interpretation, addressing space enveloped in dark wood and deep burgundy tones. "The last time it was renovated was in the 90s," said Jenna Pokrzywinski. "When we came in, the building had been sitting empty, so we did a lot of work to bring it back to life; painting, pulling up old carpet, building out the bar, bringing it up to code, and refinishing the original Maple flooring."

In renaming the venue, Jenna leaned toward meaningful elegance fitting of the Stone building's rich history. Synclaire is named after their three-year-old daughter and firstborn, Claire. In September 2024, Jenna and Zach welcomed their second child, Leo.

Pokrzywinski Family

MAIN FLOOR

GREAT HALL
With renovations completed last spring, Jenna and Zach officially celebrated the grand re-opening of the Synclaire Events Venue on May 14, 2024. Here, the party started with a tour of the main floor Great Hall, accommodating seating for 300. To elevate the festivities, Jenna worked with Karissa Kjos of Gather Event Planning, along with spectacular event design, staging, and floral by Gathered Boutique Rentals and Floret + Foliage.

In this street-level entertaining space, Jenna preserved the original tin ceiling tile, added wainscoting details, and worked with Weyer Companies to refresh the entire first floor in an elegant Sherwin-Williams Westhighland White. The Stone building's original first-floor bank safe was also repurposed as secure bar and supply storage.

Also in the Great Hall, PLC Contracting helped Jenna build out a new bar with one of the building's original arches and a new quartz top to coordinate with the existing marble finishes. "I just wanted to highlight the original architecture but also bring in some modern elements," added Pokrzywinski. Jenna additionally chose to paint the interior window grids black for a more modern feel, tying to the sophisticated window details in the upstairs event space.

"This has been a perfect location," said Pokrzywinski. "We have great neighbors, there's great walkability, and I love that it's a quieter part of downtown, so we don't get the large crowds from bars and restaurants. The history and preservation of this venue is unlike anything else in the area."

FLOOR TWO

North Dakota State Archives

GRAND GATHERINGS
On the second floor, the Synclaire's two-story Grand Ballroom emanates authentic 1900s opulence, with an illuminated skyward view of the original decorative dome ceiling, now with a fresh monochromatic palette. Here, Jenna built out a new bar space, removed dated drapery, updated original light fixtures with globes to blend with new mid-century light fixtures, and had custom-fabricated mirrors installed. This redesign included a demo of the original balcony, which further opened the space and brought the ballroom up to code. Today, the Grand Ballroom accommodates 300 ceremony guests and 200 seated dinner guests.

THE GALLERY
Another renovated event space on the second floor is the Gallery, accommodating up to 78 guests for more intimate affairs. Here, Jenna opened several walls to create a more adaptable event space that showcases the original crown molding details and large windows overlooking downtown Fargo. "The large Serena & Lily Capiz Honeycomb pendants were one of the very first things I bought for the building and the last to be installed," said Pokrzywinski. "I wanted to make a statement but not have them overpower the space." Jenna and Zach also built out the Gallery's fireplace with an antique surround.

One of the Gallery's stand-out features is the custom-fabricated glass wall, finished with a modern window grid design by Red River Glazing. The wall provides privacy and separation between simultaneous events.

FLOOR THREE

DRESSING SUITES
On the third floor, what was once the Fargo Conservatory of Music is now luxurious bridal party suites. Jenna preserved the building's intricately carved oak corbels, posts, and crown moldings, adding mid-century modern seating and custom vanity stations for bridal party dressing.

Further into the third floor is a walk down memory lane, including the Conservatory's 19th-century transom windows and glass doors that lead to the groom's dressing suite and several small offices. These offices, now available for rent, were once practice rooms for the Conservatory's music students.

CELEBRATE EVERYTHING
Planning a wedding, birthday, shower, corporate event, or other celebratory occasion? Synclaire accommodates both intimate and large gatherings, including access to a prep kitchen space on the first floor. A full kitchen space on the second floor is currently available for rent. For larger weddings or events, Jenna recommends booking the venue one year in advance to ensure your desired date, but she can more easily accommodate smaller events in shorter lead times. The venue includes unlimited event consultations, full bar service, security, tables and chairs, shuttle/hotel partnerships, and elevator accessibility to all three floors.

"It was a two-year process to figure everything out," said Pokrzywinski. "We had great mentors along the way who helped make it possible.”

DESIGN THE DAY
Although Jenna, a Bismarck, ND, native, has always had a passion for design, art, and hosting, she earned her degree from MSUM in graphic design. Throughout the renovation, she has remained in her career at Moorhead's D-S Beverages, where she has been employed for over 14 years. She works in design, marketing, and events, so her passions naturally collide. In fact, through a D-S Beverages connection, she got her first opportunity to try her hand at venue management. In the two years prior to Synclaire, Jenna also managed weddings and helped create and establish The Four & Four, a downtown Fargo venue above Sidestreet.

Jenna's husband Zach also has a full-time career at Steffes Group. "He has been so supportive throughout this process," said Pokrzywinski. "We've taken on a lot of the operations this first year ourselves with the help of family. We were also fortunate to have had a handful of weddings book before renovations were completed, so we had events lined up right away when we opened.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Synclaire Events Venue
613 1st Ave. N., Fargo, ND
synclairevenue.com
Insta: @synclairevenue
FB: Synclaire Events Venue