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The iconic landmark is being moved eastward and slightly higher.

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Crews began disassembling the landmark Citgo sign Friday in Kenmore Square, and it will be moved to a new perch above the neighborhood.

The relocation is the final step in the redevelopment of 660 Beacon Street, where a new rooftop structure has already been built to support the landmark. 

Once complete, the sign will sit 30 feet higher and 120 feet farther east, restoring its familiar sightline for fans and commuters across the city.

The construction at One Kenmore Square, with the installation of the wearable fitness company’s Whoop lettering, partially obstructed the sight line.

Citgo contracted with Suffolk Construction to manage and complete the repositioning of the sign. Construction is expected to continue through December 2026.

The company and Citgo first announced the move in October.

“Citgo is thrilled to officially kick off the historic repositioning process for this iconic site, ensuring that our beloved Citgo sign will continue to illuminate Kenmore Square and the city of Boston skyline for many generations to come,” said Karl Schmidt, vice president supply and marketing at Citgo, in a statement on Friday. 

The Citgo sign relocation project will happen in two phases. The first includes removal of the existing letters, logos, and superstructure, followed by roof and electrical work through mid-July. The second will include erection of the reposition sign onto the newly installed superstructure, which meets today’s building codes. 

“The Citgo Sign is one of the most recognizable features of the city’s skyline,” said Pat Lucey, Suffolk President, Northeast, in a statement. “This is a highly specialized engineering effort that requires tremendous coordination, precision and respect for the surrounding neighborhood, and our team is committed to carrying out the work safely, thoughtfully, and efficiently while helping preserve an iconic part of Boston’s legacy.”

The darkened sign may come as a surprise to the many Red Sox fans who see the 60-foot-by-60-foot illuminated sign, bearing the oil company’s name and triangular logo from inside Fenway Park. The sign has sat on the roof at this location since 1940. 

Questions over the Citgo sign have swirled in the past. Citgo planned to remove the sign in the early 1980s, but reversed course after an outcry from Boston residents. 

In 2016, its future was once again called into question when Boston University announced plans to sell 660 Beacon St. and several nearby buildings. As a result, the Boston Landmark Commission voted to make the sign an official landmark in 2018. 

However, former Mayor Marty Walsh vetoed the decision, but reached a deal with Citgo and the building’s developer to keep the sign in place “for years to come.”