Gazing out over the East River toward Manhattan, the Pepsi-Cola sign stands as a testament to time, commerce, and community. This iconic sign, a beacon in Long Island City, has a story as rich and bubbly as the soda it represents.
The original Pepsi-Cola sign was erected in 1940. Pepsi-Cola installed it atop their Long Island City plant. At the time, it was the largest Pepsi bottling plant in the U.S. The sign quickly became a landmark. It was visible from Manhattan and served as a cultural icon for generations of New Yorkers.
Measuring 60 by 120 feet, the original sign featured a 50-foot Pepsi bottle. The sign read Pepsi:Cola 5c. The characters “5c” were in blue neon. The other letters glowed with red neon. This reflected Pepsi’s logo which had just removed its blue outline.
The sign’s location was strategic. Long Island City was a growing industrial hub. Its proximity to Manhattan made it ideal for companies like Pepsi-Cola. These companies sought visibility. They erected large signs to attract attention from across the river.
The “5c” was removed from the Pepsi-Cola sign in the mid-1940s. This happened when Pepsi raised its price. The bottle design was updated in the 1970s. The sign stood tall watching Long Island City change. Many industrial firms moved away. Redevelopment became the area’s new future.
The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission considered landmark status for the sign in 1988. A PepsiCo spokesman noted its iconic status. The company chose not to update the sign to reflect the modern logo.
A severe storm nearly destroyed the Pepsi-Cola sign in 1992. By 1993, it was gone. Artkraft Strauss Sign Corporation rebuilt it. The new sign resembled the original. The LPC had to approve the reconstruction. The sign was still under consideration as a landmark.
PepsiCo announced plans to leave its bottling plant by 2000. All parties wanted the Pepsi-Cola sign preserved. PepsiCo sold the plant in 2003. However, they stipulated the sign must stay on the waterfront.
In 2004, the Pepsi-Cola sign was moved 300 feet south. This was next to Gantry Plaza State Park. The plant was demolished. The park was built. Photographer Vera Lutter documented this process. The sign returned to its original spot in 2008. It was dismantled and reassembled in early 2009.
In 2016, the Pepsi-Cola sign officially became a New York City landmark. The LPC made an exception. Landmarks usually had to be 30 years old. The reconstructed sign was historically accurate.
The Pepsi-Cola sign we see today is more than just an advertisement. It is a symbol of Long Island City’s past. It is a reminder of a time when manufacturing thrived here. It is a testament to the enduring power of community. It represents the city’s resilience and the importance of preserving local icons. The Pepsi-Cola sign continues to shine brightly. It watches over the waterfront. It connects generations through shared memories and a timeless design.