Owners Vicki and Dan Ross transformed a historic barn property in Sunset Valley into a venue. Owners Vicki and Dan Ross transformed a historic barn property in Sunset Valley into a venue.[/caption]

As Sunset Valley wedding venue Brodie Homestead prepares to celebrate its one-year anniversary this fall, its director of events, Juliana Ross, is working on planning a special wedding at the historic barn—her sister Margo’s.


“I can show you the Pinterest board,” she said, adding Margo lives in New York and will come back to Austin for the event next year.


So far the venue, owned by Juliana’s parents, Dan and Vicki Ross, has hosted an “Up”-themed wedding, a gender-reveal party and a few corporate events.


Brodie Homestead opened in August 2014 on Brodie Lane. The structure was built in 1949 and was formerly a working horse barn owned by the Weaver family, Dan said.


“I remember coming out here for the first time,” Vicki said. “I walked in, and my jaw dropped. Even as a working barn, it was beautiful, just beautiful—dirt floors and all. It was incredible. I think [Dan] had brought me here with him to see it because I’m the sensible one. And I lost all of my good sense.”


The space is now adorned with chandeliers and features bridal suites with plush chairs and mirrors, but the couple worked to repurpose as many materials from the barn and adjacent house as they could.


Most of the original rafters in the ceiling are still in place, wainscoting and pieces from the wood floor decorate the walls, and barn doors serve as sliding doors to separate the main event space from small offices.


Overall, it took about three years of planning, permitting and making renovations before the business could open, Dan said.


“It’s iconic,” he said. “I wanted it to be right.”



Weddings and events


For weddings, Brodie Homestead staffers set up half of the 7,200-square-foot barn space for a ceremony, after which guests move into the other half of the barn for a cocktail hour while staffers “flip” the ceremony space to ready it for a reception, director of events Juliana Ross said.


The venue, which is located about 6 miles from downtown Austin, can accommodate a wedding with up to 250 guests or as many as 400 people for an event with minimal seating. Pricing ranges from $1,000 to $5,700 depending on the time of year, day of the week and amount of time.


Clients can also rent the space for corporate functions, fundraisers and other events. The company allows clients to bring in food and services from most vendors, Juliana said.


Brodie Homestead owners Dan and Vicki Ross also operate the Austin venue Allan House.


Brodie Homestead, 5211 Brodie Lane, 512-439-2981, www.brodiehomestead.comTours by appointment