If you live in Middle Tennessee, you know that historic preservation is alive and thriving in Nashville. Every day, we see community efforts to preserve both residential homes and commercial properties in many areas of the growing city. Recently, we were given the opportunity to create custom signage for a newly preserved and renovated warehouse. We love how these industrial signs add to the beauty and character of this unique building!

The Project

Pfeffer Torode Architecture contacted us to discuss signage for the recently restored Oak Barrel Building at 2934 Sidco Drive, in the 100 Oaks area of Nashville. This 40,000 SF, multi-tenant building was constructed in 1959. After a full renovation of the building, it was time to create signage to identify the building’s address and a couple of the new tenants.

The architect at Pfeffer Torode explained that he was looking for weathered, industrial-looking custom signs that would enhance the character of the building. Our designer suggested using weathering steel (also called corten steel) for the signs. Corten is a copper chromium alloy steel which is corrosion resistant. When left uncoated, it develops a rust-like patina on the outside layer. The patina protects the steel from additional corrosion. Corten is often used for bridge construction, since its corrosion rate is very slow.  

For this project, we fabricated and installed three signs. The first sign consisted of the building’s address. The numbers and letters were individually cut from ¼” thick flat corten steel using a water jet cutter. The 16” tall numbers and the 12” tall SIDCO letters were stud-mounted on the brick walls.

The weathered look of these letters and numbers works really well with the historic architecture of the Oak Barrel building. 

We also fabricated business signs for Kenny & Company and Facility Planners, Inc (FPI.) For Kenny & Company, we cut the company logo out of a 4’ x 3' sheet of corten steel that was ¼” thick. We also created a 4' x 8" address number sign to go below Kenny & Company’s logo. Both signs were installed on the brick using standoffs.

We love the unfinished, industrial look of these signs! They will continue to get a more rusty appearance over time.

For FPI, we used a water jet to cut the words “facility planners” out of a 4’ x 3’ sheet of corten steel that was ¼” thick. The letters fpi were fabricated to float in a cutout area in the left portion of the sign. We also created another address number sign to be installed below FPI’s logo. These signs were also installed on the brick using standoffs.

We water jet cut the letters, numbers and shape in these signs. Notice the "floating" fpi on the left side.

  Here's a closer view of the fpi floating letters. 

The weathered signs are a perfect finishing touch to the historic warehouse. As time goes by, the custom signs will get a more rusty look … exactly what the architect was hoping to achieve with this unique building!

Is your company looking for signage with an industrial look? We can help! We design and fabricate beautiful custom signage with a variety of materials, including steel, wood, acrylic, brushed metal, and more. We offer interior and exterior signs, lobby & logo signs, architectural displays, wall murals, custom projects, vehicle wraps, and more! We provide services to Middle Tennessee and surrounding areas, including Hendersonville, Nashville, Lebanon, Mt. Juliet, Franklin, Brentwood, Spring Hill, and Murfreesboro.

To reach us, call (615) 595-6564 or click on the button below. Estimates are always free, so let’s get started today!