Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is not a fan of a sign being added to Chicago's second-tallest building by Donald Trump, according to mayoral spokesman Kelley Quinn.
“Mayor Emanuel believes this is an architecturally tasteful building scarred by an architecturally tasteless sign," said Quinn. "The sign -- which was already reduced in size and scope -- does comply with the provisions of the planned development ordinance and the City Council sign order, but he has asked his staff to determine if there are any options available for further changes.”
The 20-foot-tall, illuminated letters spelling real estate mogul Donald Trump's last name began going up last month on the side side of the Trump International Hotel & Tower, at 401 N. Wabash Ave.
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The building's architect earlier this week went on record with his disapproval of the letters.
"I think it hurts the image of the building and is done in poor taste. It also hurts the image of Chicago. How could the City officials that must approve these signs let this happen?" Smith said in an email to NBC Chicago.
Trump has defended the lettering. In a Tuesday post in the Wall Street Journal he's quoted as saying it's "great for Chicago, because I have the hottest brand in the world."
No version of the sign was part of the building's original plans that were approved by the Chicago City Council in 2002. The council in 2009 approved a sign measuring 3.600 square feet. Once completed, the TRUMP sign will cover 2,891 square feet, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Emanuel was inaugurated as Chicago's mayor in 2011.
