Sign Of The Times / by Tom Oliver Payne

Love it or hate it, the William Street Coca-Cola sign is one of the world's most costly billboard real estate locations in the world and a prominent historic Sydney icon. I've never really found it too pleasing too look at. In fact I've always kind of hated it. But to be honest I can't imagine the Cross without it.

Those bright red lights have remained a stable fixture in Sydney's landscape while the world around it has evolved. From the cars driving around on the streets, to the types of drugs the junkies are shooting up with, a lot of shit has changed in Kings Cross since 1974. Except that sign. I don't really know why, but there's something comforting about that.

1974 - photographer unknown

1974 - photographer unknown

Late 1970s - photographer unknown

Late 1970s - photographer unknown

2008 - Photograph by Ian Waldie

2008 - Photograph by Ian Waldie

Feature image courtesy Getty Images.