Chip & Joanna Gaines Are Moving a Vacant Church to Make it Part of Their Magnolia Market Expansion

In a move that will surprise no one, Chip and Joanna Gaines are expanding their Magnolia empire. The Waco Tribune-Herald reports that the “Fixer-Upper” alums plan to make $10.4 million in renovations to the the Magnolia Market at the Silos by the end of the year. 

Anchored by their downtown silos, the renovations will bring new shops, public spaces, a whiffle ball field with tiered seating, gardens, and even a relocated historic church to be used for events at the 4.9-acre site. They’ll convert a current parking lot into a “retail village” that surrounds a green lawn, with eight additional buildings. Five are meant for retail, while two will be bathrooms, and one will serve as an information center.

The sprawling green will be anchored by the now-vacant Second Presbyterian Church building, which will move from its current location at 510 N. 13th St. The building, which was built in 1894, has sat vacant for decades, but the Gaineses purchased it in 2017, saving it from an uncertain future. Additional changes will include a splash pad for children, brick walkways, shaded landscaping, and further lighting, according to the Tribune.

The massive expansions are hoping to be an “economic catalyst” for the city of Waco. According to the plan, they hope to make the city into a “place that Waco residents can enjoy and be proud of.”

“We’re still in the final stages of solidifying our master plan for the area, but we expect the entire project to be complete by the end of the year,” Chip and Joanna Gaines told the The Dallas Morning News. “Additional construction details and site plan information will be available in the coming weeks, but our hope with this project is to create an active and beautiful community space for Wacoans and visitors alike.”

Magnolia Market at the Silos already draws in 30,000 visitors a week.