4. Essex House

Essex House sign

The JW Marriott Essex House, a 44-story luxury hotel at 160 Central Park South, opened in 1931. It is easily recognized by its six-story neon sign. This New York City sign was erected in 1932, the same year the U.S. Government’s Reconstruction Finance Corporation took the hotel from its original owners, who had become bankrupt following the Great Depression.

Like The New Yorker Hotel, the Essex House fell under the management of several owners before officially becoming the JW Marriott Essex House. To this day, its sign is frequently featured in popular culture, including in photographs, movies and television shows. For the final few New York City signs, we take a look back at those that have been lost: