Reviving History: Iconic West Hollywood Landmark Set for a Grand Comeback

An iconic piece of West Hollywood’s past may soon make a comeback, thanks to a new initiative set to be evaluated by the city council in the coming week.

John M. Erickson, a member of the West Hollywood City Council, has put forward a proposal that seeks to revive the famous West Hollywood sign. This proposal is scheduled for discussion at the council meeting on April 20.

The original sign, a creation of artist Michael J. Masucci, was first installed in 1986. It stood proudly on a small hill behind a parking lot at 8555 Santa Monica Boulevard, adjacent to the EZTV art gallery.

Designed as a tribute to the iconic Hollywood sign, the West Hollywood version was intended to spotlight the city as an emerging center of creativity, distinct from the traditional Hollywood scene.

Over the years, the West Hollywood sign became a beloved cultural landmark and a popular tourist attraction, resonating particularly with the LGBTQ+ community during the difficult days of the AIDS crisis.

While the original Hollywood sign on Mount Lee is much less accessible, the WeHo sign was on street level and was frequently vandalized throughout the years.

According to the EZTV Online Museum, several of the letters were stolen over the years, and were replaced by EZTV.

However, at one point, EZTV, “eventually grew tired of making new letters,” and the sign ultimately disappeared in 1991.

The proposal reveals that the City Council will reach out to the current owner of the property at 8555 Santa Monica Boulevard – the site of a proposed mixed-use property with apartments and retail space.

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The proposal reveals that the property owner, “has received entitlements for the redevelopment of the site, which is why this proposal is intended to be a temporary installation.”

The City Council will also consider, “other city-owned parcels for a temporary or permanent installation,” if the property owner does not want to participate.

“Reinstallation of the West Hollywood Sign artwork would commemorate an important piece of the City’s cultural history while reestablishing a visual landmark that reflects contemporary standards for durability, safety, and artistic integrity,” the proposal said.

The City Council staff will conduct the outreach and and evaluate costs and the feasibility of this project, and return to the Council with a recommendation.

If it is approved, it will likely be part of the City Council’s 2027 fiscal year budget, though it’s unclear how big of a budget this project may have, if it’s approved.