Coca-Cola Sign

Unique IDPC-000002TypeSignDescriptionThe Coca-Cola Billboard, commonly known as The Coke Sign, was erected in 1974 by Claude Neon above the intersection of William Street and Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross. Often also referred to as The Gateway to the Cross, the sign is an iconic fixture on the Potts Point skyline. The local landmark is attached to the Zenith Residences, formerly the Millenium Hotel and Kingsgate Hotel and is visible from all of William Street.

Considered the largest controllable LED billboard in the Southern Hemisphere at 41 metres long and 13 metres high, the sign is comprised of two sides. The Coca-Cola sign underwent its most significant upgrade in 1986, when the left, more modern, flex-faced side was added. On March 31, 2007 the lights on the billboard were intentionally switched off for the first time, in correlation with the inaugural Earth Hour. In 2015, the Coca-Cola sign was removed to make way for an upgraded sign. The former neon sign was dismantled and the letters put up for auction to support another local icon, the Wayside Chapel. The new Coca-Cola sign was officially turned on, on 15 September 2016, and uses a lot less power.

Contrary to popular urban myth, the Coca-Cola sign is not heritage listed. It is within the boundaries of the Elizabeth Bay Conservation Area but does not date from a key period of significance. However, the site has had extensive neon signs since the invention of electricity so the Coca-Cola sign is part of a long tradition of urban clutter at the top of William Street.

The original Development Application file DA 353/73 (A-00280429) has been digitised and is included below. On this file there is a note that the sign was completed to approval under Building Application 484/74 on 18 February 1974.

The 1985 applications relating to the computerised section of the sign have been digitised but are not available in the Archives and History Resources catalogue. Contact the City Archives to request DA 44 85 0145 (TRIM: https://record.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Y01/01125.ref) and
BA 45 85 1700 (TRIM: https://record.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Y02/02827.ref).

This place record contains a small selection of archives relating to the Coca-Cola sign.
To find even more items relating to the Coca-Cola sign, try the search tool.
Heritage statusHeritage conservation area

Photograph

Millennium Gazebo Hotel on the corner of Darlinghurst Road and Victoria Street Kings Cross, 2000

Traffic in William Street Sydney, 2003

Coca-Cola sign, Darlinghurst Road Darlinghurst, 2003

Coca-Cola billboard and Zenith Residences in Kings Cross during dust storm in Sydney, 2009

At the intersection of William Street, Victoria Street and Darlinghurst Road Potts Point, 1990

William Street at night, Darlinghurst, 1962

Looking east along William Street from near corner of Yurong Street Woolloomooloo, 1974

Streetscape and advertising signs, Victoria Street and Darlinghurst Road Darlinghurst, 1965

Streetscape and advertising signs, Darlinghurst Road Potts Point, 1965

Looking east along William Street towards Kings Cross, 1978

Looking east along William Street at night, 1978

Coca-Cola sign at corner of William Street and Darlinghurst Road Potts Point, 1980s

View east along William Street towards Kings Cross Darlinghurst, 2001

Aerial view of Kings Cross and Eastern Suburbs, 1986

New Zealand Hotel, corner of William Street and Yurong Street Darlinghurst, 1980

Junction of William Street, Victoria Street and Darlinghurst Road Potts Point, 1990s

Intersection of William Street, Victoria Street and Darlinghurst Road Potts Point, 1990s

Item

File - Install two illuminated signs, 246-252 Victoria Street and 88-94 Darlinghurst Road Kings Cross, 1973-1975

Plan

Plan - 88-94 Darlinghurst Road Kings Cross, structural support for horizontal sign, 1974

Intersection of William Street, Victoria Street and Darlinghurst Road Potts Point, 1990 (A-00058080)

Key dates and actions

Date commissioned24th May 1973Date constructed/created18th February 1974

Geo location

Geographic location^[1]Geo address82-94,Darlinghurst Road,Potts Point,Sydney,2011,Australia

Relationships

CollectionWilliam StreetKings Cross Potts Point / DerrawunnIlluminated and sky advertising signs

Start typing here to find a location	Latitude	Longitude	Zoom	Actions

loading google map....

Save Cancel

Menu

Coca-Cola Sign