McBride’s Gun Shop

Austin, Texas

McBride’s Gun Shop has long stood as one of Texas’s most enduring destinations for sportsmen and women. Since opening its doors in 1960, it has grown into a true Austin landmark—known not only for its extensive retail offering, but for the strong sense of community cultivated within its walls. Generations of customers have returned not just to shop, but to connect, learn, and share stories.

Despite its legacy, the existing exterior told a different story. Stark, windowless, and uninviting, the building created a sense of intimidation for first-time visitors—standing in sharp contrast to the warmth and knowledge found inside. For a brand so deeply rooted in community and quality, the built environment no longer reflected the experience within.

The vision for the project was to transform McBride’s into a category-defining flagship—one that delivers a completely reimagined retail experience while honoring the heritage of this iconic location.

McBride’s is no longer simply a gun shop. The redesign elevates the store into a hospitality-driven environment that reflects how customers have always used the space: as a place to gather, browse, learn, and engage. Rather than resisting this behavior, the design embraces it—introducing a more open, welcoming atmosphere that invites a broader and more diverse clientele.

The result is a flagship experience that redefines expectations for the industry. By blending retail with hospitality, McBride’s sets a new national benchmark—transforming a transactional environment into a destination rooted in community, experience, and connection.

Services

Master Planning

Architecture