Ground broken for new event space in Westchester

A new resort-like venue is coming to Hawthorne next Fall.

Ground was broken last week for Le Setai, where Gasho of Japan had been. The sprawling 2.8-acre space, at 6 Saw Mill River Road, was bought by entrepreneur Michael Pasqualini who's planning a multi-million-dollar renovation and expansion.

The 48-year-old Westchester native and resident has had a long history in the hospitality business starting when he was a teenager washing dishes at the Knights of Columbus in White Plains. Much later, he opened Onda Lounge in South Beach, Florida and in 2008, brought his expertise to Market Restaurant in Stamford, Connecticut.

From there, he branched out to Mansion on Broadway, where he is now the proprietor.

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His new place — at almost 13,000 square feet — will, when completed in Fall 2025, offer a grand ballroom, floor to ceiling windows, French double doors, flagstone terrace and landscaped gardens featuring natural waterfalls and a Koi pond. It will also include a glass walking bridge along with a ceremony platform and gazebo and an outdoor Tiki Bar and Cabana.

Pasqualini plans to keep the top peak of the old Gasho 16th-century samurai farmhouse, albeit with a major facelift.

Once completed, the state-of-the-art venue, designed for weddings and other function, will feature American food with an Italian flair. It will have room for 255 guests with parking for 100 cars.

Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter .

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Ground broken for new event space in Westchester