Image credit: Courtesy the Bruce Torrence Hollywood Photograph Collection

For the first time in nearly 35 years, Los Angeles' iconic Hollywood sign is getting a much-needed cleaning and paint job, starting today.

The Hollywood Sign Trust, which is funding the project with Sherwin-Williams, called the makeover "the most extensive refurbishing effort" since the sign was erected in 1923.

Image credit: Courtesy the Bruce Torrence Hollywood Photograph Collection

On its website, the trust said the project would take 8 weeks to 10 weeks and require 275 gallons of paint.

The sign, which read "Hollywoodland" until 1949, was built in 1923. It was demolished in 1978 and three months later, a new billboard was introduced to the public.

Its most recent repainting occurred seven years ago. The original billboard cost $21,000, according to the trust's website, and was built by Los Angeles Times publisher Harry Chandler. Its original letters stood 43 feet tall and 30 feet wide.

The Hollywood sign is perched on Santa Monica Mountains' Mount Lee.

In September, the Space Shuttle Endeavour flew over the sign and other famous California landmarks before landing at Los Angeles airport.

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