The 10 Most Impressive Art Deco Buildings in the World

It’s no surprise that the Art Deco movement was born around the end of World War I. It was a symbol of hope, a new beginning that broke away from the opulent and overly ornate designs of the past and instead emphasized in a more straight forward way, functional, modern aesthetics. The trend originated during the 1925 Paris World’s Fair, when exhibitors from around the world were asked to build their pavilions in a brand new style that had no historical references to other movements. Gone were the lavish religious and floral motifs of centuries past. They have been replaced with stylized shapes and geometric elements, as well as chevron, sunburst and zigzag patterns, which now represent the Art Deco style.



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Make sure to add these art deco style icons to your travel list.


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Make sure to add these art deco style icons to your travel list.

This new design aesthetic has prevailed especially on this side of the Atlantic. When our country experienced an economic and real estate boom, this modern design trend was wholeheartedly adopted by architects, inspired by his understated sense of size. Art Deco buildings began popping up across the country – and around the world – forever changing the skylines of cities in every corner of the world.

Here we have compiled the most outstanding Art Deco masterpieces that you can see in person at least once in your life.

Chrysler Building, New York City



Fifth Avenue, Midtown Manhattan with a distant view of the Chrysler Building


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Fifth Avenue, Midtown Manhattan with a distant view of the Chrysler Building

This silhouette is an unmistakable symbol of Art Deco and consists of seven terrace arches with arched windows, a spire, steel eagle heads and geometric motifs. It was designed in 1925 by Brooklyn-born architect William Van Alen, who built it in record time – contractors built an average of four stories a week.

The Chrysler Building was the tallest structure in the world when it was completed and today it holds its own as the tallest brick building in the world.

Majorelle Garden, Morocco



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The famous 12 hectare garden retreat in the heart of Marrakech is also home to one of the most impressive and eye-catching examples of Art Deco architecture. The art deco studio of the French expat artist Jacques Majorelle, painted in a striking cobalt blue and now known as “Majorelle Blue”, was built in 1931. It features extensive arches, angular shapes and a cantilevered roof over one of the terraces to the many geometric references in the two-story building designed by the architect Paul Sinoir.

Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles



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While the Griffith Observatory is famous for its panoramic views of Los Angeles and the live planetarium shows, this beautiful public building is also known as one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture.

Built in 1935 by Los Angeles City Hall architects John C. Austin and Frederick Ashley, the building has Greek, Roman, and Moorish influences and a Beaux Arts layout. Its most notable Art Deco elements are the iron lattice windows, geometric shapes, and the intricate metalwork on the front doors.

Gallery: Impressive Art Deco constructions around the world (StarsInsider)

Born in the midst of the extravagance of the Roaring Twenties that followed World War II austerity and the Spanish Flu, Art Deco became increasingly popular in the 1920s and 30s, influencing architectural styles and interior design around the world.  Characterized by sharp lines, geometric shapes and far-reaching exotic influences, Art Deco is a distinctive style that is still impressive today.  Click through this gallery to discover some of the most beautiful Art Deco constructions in the world.

Palais de Chaillot, Paris



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The imposing Palais de Chaillot with a direct view of the Eiffel Tower is one of the most visited landmarks in Paris. Aside from its perfect location, this 1940s building is not only a beautiful example of Art Deco architecture in the City of Lights, it is also home to the largest museum of architecture and building design: Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine.

The two curved neoclassical wings of the Palais de Chaillot flank the main Art Deco style structure with elongated metal windows, bas-reliefs, and gilded accents.

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Brussels



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In general, Art Deco buildings are rarely religiously linked, but the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Brussels is a prime example of the versatility of this design movement. It took several decades (the cornerstone was laid in 1905 and the church opened its doors in 1971) but the result was well worth the wait.

Located on a hill in the western part of the Belgian capital, the basilica, the fifth largest church in the world, has a green copper dome flanked by two towers with tiered architecture, modern stained glass windows, a pediment and arches. Inside, the church is decorated entirely in the Art Deco style with lots of marble and geometric motifs.

Empire State Building, New York City



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The most famous Art Deco building in the world is the Empire State Building in Manhattan, which took a little over a year to complete. The 102-story skyscraper, designed by architects Shreve, Lamb, and Harmon in 1932, has a steel frame covered with granite and limestone. Aluminum accents create a gold-plated effect. The building’s streamlined facade with recessed windows, the recessed shape and of course the 60-foot crown tower make it the most photographed structure in the world today.

Fair Park, Dallas



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With an extraordinary collection of Art Deco facades, Dallas Fair Park is actually home to one of the largest collections of Art Deco buildings in the country. The park revolves around the Esplanade, which has a 700-foot pool lined with Art Deco buildings, including the notable Hall of State. The esplanade itself was designed by George Dahl and built specifically for the Texas centenary in 1936.

Eastern Columbia Building, Los Angeles



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FG / Bauer-Griffin / GC Images

This gem of Art Deco architecture is a sight to see. Designed by Claud Beelman in 1930, the beautiful facade is clad with striking blue-green terracotta and gold leaf tiles – and crowned with a clock tower. The windows, arranged in recessed vertical patterns, together with the fluted pillars, bronze spandrels, the recessed silhouette and the crown-like roof line are classic elements of Art Deco architecture.

Palais de la Mediterranée, Nice



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The most emblematic building on the famous Promenade des Anglais, Nice’s main boulevard overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, is the impressive Palais de la Mediterranée. And while there is no shortage of Art Deco examples in the French Riviera city (around 600 in fact), the current Hyatt Regency Hotel stands out for its grandeur. The whitewashed facade of the building is modeled on the Paris Opéra Garnier and features a duo of stately gables, wondrous bas-reliefs dedicated to the Greek god Poseidon, and imposing arcades and colonnades.

Paramount Theater, Oakland, California



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Timothy Pflueger, the prominent architect of the San Francisco Bay Area behind the Fairmont San Francisco and the Pacific Exchange Building, designed one of the most beautiful theaters in America in 1931. The shield of the theater bisects the 30 meter high mosaic facade of the building. The mosaic depicts a man and woman manipulating dolls lined with rows of chevron-shaped maroon tiles – a signature Art Deco element.

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