TUPPS Brewery at McKinney Grain & Feed
Owner: TUPPS Brewery
Architect: Conduit Architecture + Design
Situated in the historic Mill District of McKinney, Texas, the new 6-acre site of TUPPS Brewery has quickly become a hub of community entertainment. The new multibuilding complex, the product of a strategic collaboration between McKinney Community Development Corporation, the City of McKinney and the TUPPS team, is a key step in the revitalization of the once-thriving east corridor that sits adjacent to McKinney’s vibrant downtown area. SpawGlass-North Texas constructed the brewery’s new complex, alongside Conduit Architecture + Design, to reflect both the industrial history of the site and the modern community-centered atmosphere of present-day downtown McKinney.
The need for the expansion was driven by TUPPS’ rapid rise in popularity, leading them to outgrow their previous space located just a mile away from the new site, with regards to both production and patron capacity. Recognizing the brewery’s importance to the community, the City of McKinney collaborated with McKinney Community Development Corp. to provide financial backing to secure the site for the new brewery that would keep them in town and convenient to their devoted customer base. The site of a former grain mill, adjacent to the future home of McKinney’s new City Hall, was the perfect spot to accommodate the brewery’s growing production needs and also provide an ideally located venue for large events and entertainment. The collaboration to secure the site was a win-win-win situation for TUPPS, the City of McKinney and the residents of McKinney.
The SpawGlass team, together with TUPPS, Conduit Architecture + Design and the City of McKinney, collaborated to achieve an aesthetic for the new complex that embraces the historic significance of the site, incorporating existing materials into the new facility. Elements remaining from the original mill structures were given new life, such as towering grain silos with painted murals, a perimeter wall made from reclaimed brick and the industrial warehouse-style facades of the buildings themselves. The 25,000-square-foot production facility is equipped with state-of-the-art grain processing, brewing and canning equipment, ensuring the freshest product is shipped straight from TUPPS’ doors. A separate building contains a two-level rustic restaurant serving TUPPS on tap and chef-curated elevated bar fare, providing visitors with a unique dining experience. Outdoor spaces include a covered beer garden, stage, courtyard and bocce ball court, creating a family-friendly environment that welcomes guests of all ages. In support of other small businesses, the new venue includes designated spaces for local vendors and artisans to showcase their goods.
Challenges arose during the construction process, particularly with the new parking lot, which was an addition to the original scope of the project. Due to city code requirements, the parking lot needed to be finished before vertical construction could begin. Despite the change to the original scope and schedule, the team tackled the challenge of paving and constructing the new lot, which now accommodates more than 200 vehicles.
Superintendent Raymond Howey remarked on the unique opportunity the project presented, stating: “This was a complex project that combined new vertical construction with aspects of historic restoration. It was rewarding to see how well it came together.”
With its blend of history, innovation and community engagement, TUPPS’ new facility is poised to become a cornerstone of McKinney culture for years to come. Thanks to this team’s shared commitment to excellence and collaboration, the future looks bright for TUPPS and for the community they call home.