JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — One of the most iconic skyscrapers in Downtown Jacksonville now has a new look after crews removed the Wells Fargo logo from the building Sunday morning.
The change was touching to many who have seen the big yellow letters on top of the building for over a decade.
“It’s very iconic to the skyline," said Andre Vedan, a Jacksonville resident. "Since I moved here back in 2019, I’ve seen that sign and it’s like, you recognize it you know.”
The yellow letters have graced the top of 1 Independent Dr. since 2011 when the letters replaced the Modis signage.
“I remember when it used to be the Modis building and it’s interesting to see it going away, Wells Fargo, now," said Rhett Wilson, a Jacksonville homeowner.
It was a bittersweet moment for those standing along the St. Johns River to see the sign removed.
“For Jacksonville, it's kinda like the Empire State Building, Chrysler building for New York. When you look at the skyline you recognize the building so I think it’s really, it’s a big moment for them to be able to change the ownership," said Jarviel Rayford, who stopped to take pictures.
The letters swung from a helicopter as they were carried over the river and placed on a pier along the riverbank.
It was a dangerous job, with each letter weighing around 1,200 pounds, according to Walton Kinney. He's the owner of Southeastern Lighting Solutions, the company responsible for ensuring each letter makes a safe trip.
“To get a building like this ready for demo takes us about two and a half, three weeks. Once we get off of location and the letters are on the ground, we have about two and a half weeks of repairing the building to get it back to its natural state," said Kinney.
According to our partners with The Florida Times-Union, the change was made because Wells Fargo is being replaced as the primary tenant for the building after the banking company downsized its leased space earlier this year.
“I’m interested to see what sign will be up there next, just because it is such an iconic building," Wilson said.
As far as what’s next for the skyscraper, a new name for the building has not yet been announced.