Justin French commissions billboard

If you are looking for Scott’s Addition, a mostly industrial neighborhood that is home to hundreds of businesses, it just got a little bit easier.

If you haven’t headed south on the Boulevard lately, you may not have seen it.

A large billboard stands on a high rooftop above the industrial neighborhood—that as of late is seeing many of its buildings converted into condos, apartments, and restaurants.

The sign is of a painted streetscape with a yellow and pink sky, a silhouette of a telephone poll and in big letters: “Scott’s Addition.”

And in the corner the logo for French Consulting Company, which owns the building at 1707 Summit Avenue, formerly the headquarters for Style Weekly. The same sign once bore Style’s name.

“I engaged Ed Trask to go and do that mural,” said Justin French, the company’s principal. Trask’s murals can be spotted throughout the city, often at restaurants.

“I thought, since I owned the building and its a gateway into the city, to put up some proper signage,” said French, “It says Scott’s Addition to explain to everyone where it is, not enough people know that.

The neighborhood lies north of Broad Street and west of the Boulevard. Its other borders stretch westward to 195 and north up to the railroad tracks. The land was given to Mayor General Winfield Scott in the early 19th century as a dowry by the Mayo family. In the early 20th century it was annexed by the city, and earning its official name.

French said the building is currently undergoing renovations, and when completed will be the headquarters of Cityscape Solar. French recently bought a share of that company. The building will also feature a second location for Savor Cafe, a recording studio, and additional space for art studios.

According to the Scott’s Addition Business Association the neighborhood is home to more than 350 businesses.

Read more: Ed Trask Paintings for Every City Building (S-A-T-I-R-E from Tobacco Avenue)

Al Harris is a BizSense reporter. Please send news tips to Al@richmondbizsense.com.