After more than 40 years exposed to the elements, the Coca-Cola sign at Kings Cross is getting a facelift.
The lights were turned off a month ago and a close inspection shows it's being held together by ropes with all the bulbs taken away. "It's lost all its glitz and glamour," one local said.
With approval imminent from the City of Sydney Council, a hoarding will be erected to allow the sign specialist to assess the repairs required.
The sign has more than 800 fluorescent lamps and stretches 41 metres, so a custom-made scaffold is being constructed around it to ensure public safety during the work.
The sign is owned by Coca-Cola South Pacific, which leases it back to Coca-Cola Amatil.
A spokeswoman for Coke said the Kings Cross sign has been a beloved feature of the Sydney skyline for more than 40 years.
"At such a ripe old age Coca-Cola is working to restore the iconic sign so she can continue to illuminate the Sydney nightlife for decades to come," she said.
"A recent structural report has highlighted that substantial maintenance must be carried out, most visibly, the lights have been switched off at the outset of the maintenance work.
We will work to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum. A hoarding cover will be constructed around the sign to ensure public safety while work is undertaken."
Leo Roberts, group marketing manager, integrated marketing communications, said "construction staff will work to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum".
The original Coca-Cola billboard was built on the side of the Hyatt Kingsgate hotel and featured a weather update, alongside other Coca-Cola advertising panels. The sign was designed and maintained by outdoor signage company Claude Neon.
"In Australia in 1974, there was nothing like it," Mr Roberts said of the billboard's first appearance. The position was unbeatable, and the logo became an instant landmark, still referred to as the gateway to the Cross.
The last time major work of this scale was undertaken was in 1990, when the left side of the billboard was upgraded.
But it's not been an easy process as the building in which it hangs is a strata title, so approval was required from three sets of owners.
Adding to the debate is the former Piano room bar site is now leased to The X Studio, which is not too happy to have its windows covered by the hoarding as the sign is repaired.
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