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City wouldn’t let Trump slap name on Columbus Circle globe
Sculpture would have had 3-foot-high lettering
For New York City, putting Trump’s name on the globe was a step too far.
In 1996, the Republican presidential nominee apparently wanted to emblazon the globe sculpture outside Trump International Hotel & Tower with three-foot lettering that would spell out “Trump International.” The city, however, wouldn’t allow it, the New York Times reported.
According to a 20-year-old Department of City Planning memo, the city viewed the lettering as illegal signage and a possible obstruction to the streetscape.
“Setting aside the issue of whether the globe is a permitted obstruction,” city officials wrote at the time. “We believe that the scale of the globe is so enormous, it would detract from the overall streetscape plan we are designing for the circle.”
The revelation of the branding opportunity that got away comes as tenants of buildings bearing Trump’s name push to have the moniker removed. Residents of Trump Place on the Upper West Side have signed a petition to have his name removed from their building.
A new line of Trump Hotels will also be rebranded as “Scion.” Trump Hotels CEO Eric Danziger has said the rebranding has nothing to do with the presidential election. [NYT] — Kathryn Brenzel