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NYLEX SIGN

Other Names NYLEX CLOCK ,  NYLEX SKY SIGN ,  RICHMOND MALTINGS Location 2 GOUGH STREET CREMORNE, YARRA CITY File Number 11/000063 Level Registered

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Statement of Significance

What is significant?
Erected in 1961 on top of the No2 Silos of the Richmond Maltings, Gough St, Richmond, the Nylex Sign is a double sided sky-sign mounted on a cross braced frame of steel L-section angle, approximately 15m high. The sign itself consists of the words NYLEX PLASTICS and is crowned by an LED thermometer display/clock. The word NYLEX is formed by metal trough sans serif letters illuminated by single rows of light bulbs. The word PLASTIC is formed by metal shallow trough serif letters outlined in Neon tubing. The word Plastics is overlayed with Neon tube lettering, without backing, spelling EVERY TIME.

How is it significant?
The Nylex sign is of social and historical significance to the State of Victoria

Why is it significant?
The Nylex sky-sign is of historical significance as one of a collection of signs marking Victoria's industrial heritage in Richmond. Richmond has the greatest concentration of surviving sky-signs in the state. Of all the signs, which include the Skipping Girl, Victoria Bitter, Slade Knitwear and the Pelaco signs, the Nylex sign is the most prominent. These large sky-signs which used to be a prominent feature of the Melbourne skyline are increasing in rarity with the demolition of such notable signs such as Allen's at Southbank and Atlantic Ethyl and Shell Petroleum's rolling dice at St Kilda Junction. The Nylex sign is of further rarity as it the only major sky sign in Melbourne that uses such a range of lighting media.

These signs have strong associations with the industrial base of the former City of Richmond, important in the economy of Melbourne but which also contributed to the well being of the national economy. Nylex, the largest plastics manufacturer in Australia, and the first to be established (1927), grew from premises below the sign in Cremorne Street.