The last phase in moving the CITGO sign over Kenmore Square, one of Boston’s most recognizable modern landmarks, is underway after getting final approval from the city. The restoration and repositioning of the sign is the final piece of the redevelopment project at 660 Beacon St. The sign is being moved to ensure its visibility for years to come.”Whether it’s fans going to Fenway for a Red Sox game, marathon participants on their final stretch of the race going through Kenmore Square, students walking along Commonwealth Avenue, or tourists coming to check out all that this great city has to offer, the CITGO Sign has long served as an iconic landmark for Boston residents and visitors of Boston,” Gov. Maura Healey said. The sign will be positioned 30 feet higher and 120 feet to the east to restore and preserve the original view corridor, ensuring it can be enjoyed by the public from its permanent home in Kenmore Square.”The CITGO Sign is a beloved treasure for Kenmore Square and residents across Boston,” Mayor Michelle Wu said. “I’m thrilled and grateful that so many partners came together to preserve this iconic Sign for generations to come.”A sign at that location first became part of the Boston skyline in 1940, but at the time, it had a different logo. The original sign said “Cities Service,” which was a brand name prior to the creation of the CITGO brand and triangle-shaped logo in 1965.Since then, the 11-foot letters and iconic red logo have become synonymous with the city’s skyline.Piece by piece, the 60-foot-by-60-foot sign will be moved and anchored to new, custom footings recently installed on the roof of the Beacon Street building.Planning for the sign’s future began in 2018 and involved the analysis of several city organizations. “CITGO may think of this as their sign, but in Boston, we think of it as ours,” said Boston City Councilor Sharon Durkan, who represents Kenmore Square. “This repositioning makes a bright future for the Sign to continue to shine as the beacon of Kenmore Square.”
The last phase in moving the CITGO sign over Kenmore Square, one of Boston’s most recognizable modern landmarks, is underway after getting final approval from the city.
The restoration and repositioning of the sign is the final piece of the redevelopment project at 660 Beacon St. The sign is being moved to ensure its visibility for years to come.
“Whether it’s fans going to Fenway for a Red Sox game, marathon participants on their final stretch of the race going through Kenmore Square, students walking along Commonwealth Avenue, or tourists coming to check out all that this great city has to offer, the CITGO Sign has long served as an iconic landmark for Boston residents and visitors of Boston,” Gov. Maura Healey said.
The sign will be positioned 30 feet higher and 120 feet to the east to restore and preserve the original view corridor, ensuring it can be enjoyed by the public from its permanent home in Kenmore Square.
“The CITGO Sign is a beloved treasure for Kenmore Square and residents across Boston,” Mayor Michelle Wu said. “I’m thrilled and grateful that so many partners came together to preserve this iconic Sign for generations to come.”
A sign at that location first became part of the Boston skyline in 1940, but at the time, it had a different logo. The original sign said “Cities Service,” which was a brand name prior to the creation of the CITGO brand and triangle-shaped logo in 1965.
Since then, the 11-foot letters and iconic red logo have become synonymous with the city’s skyline.
Piece by piece, the 60-foot-by-60-foot sign will be moved and anchored to new, custom footings recently installed on the roof of the Beacon Street building.
Planning for the sign’s future began in 2018 and involved the analysis of several city organizations.
“CITGO may think of this as their sign, but in Boston, we think of it as ours,” said Boston City Councilor Sharon Durkan, who represents Kenmore Square. “This repositioning makes a bright future for the Sign to continue to shine as the beacon of Kenmore Square.”
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