Our brands
  • BURDALUXURY
  • Prestige Online
  • Augustman
  • Pin Prestige
  • Hello
search:
Lifestyle Asia Hong Kong
MENUMENU
  • What's On
  • Food & Drink
        • Food & Drink
          • Food & Drink
          • Dining
          • Drinks
          • Reviews
        • Food & Drink

          New Eats: Afternoon tea at Hue, spring menus at 208 Duecento Otto, and more restaurant news

        • Food & Drink
          The Home Bar: Casamigos’ Tropical Milk Punch by Lorenzo Antinori
          Food & Drink
          Elevate your weekend cheeseboard with these gourmet tips
          Food & Drink
          Make a plant-based meal at home with these vegan cookbooks
  • Style
        • Style
          • Style
          • Fashion
          • Watches
          • Jewellery
        • Siam Magical Moments
        • Style

          Meet the influential K-pop stars inspiring the world of fashion

        • Style
          6 pieces we love from Gucci and Balenciaga’s surprising collaboration
          Style
          Innovative fashion technology that may help the fashion industry become more sustainable
          Style
          The best sneaker drops to know about in April 2021
  • Travel
        • Travel
          • Travel
          • Destinations
          • Hotels & Resorts
        • Travel

          Small Luxury Hotels of the World wants you to seek simplicity once travel takes off

        • Travel
          The best Airbnbs for a Hong Kong getaway
          Travel
          8 farm-to-table hotel experiences driving sustainable tourism
          Travel
          6 hotels for a daycation in Hong Kong
  • Culture
        • Culture
          • Culture
          • Entertainment
          • Architecture
          • Events
          • Art & Design
        • Culture

          For Earth Day 2021, consider donating to these 10 worthy causes

        • Culture
          SAG Awards 2021 winners: see the full list here
          Culture
          What’s streaming on Netflix Hong Kong in April 2021
          Culture
          The most iconic street artists of our times
  • Beauty & Grooming
        • Beauty & Grooming
          • Beauty & Grooming
          • Grooming
          • Makeup
          • Skincare
        • The Essence of La Prairie
        • Beauty & Grooming

          Your complete guide to sustainable beauty

        • Beauty & Grooming
          Everything you need to know about serums, according to Drunk Elephant’s Tiffany Masterson
          Beauty & Grooming
          Where to get eyelash extensions in Hong Kong
          Beauty & Grooming
          Editor picks: March beauty and skincare favourites
  • Living
        • Living
          • Living
          • People
          • Wellness
          • Property & Interiors
        • Luxe Living Asia
        • Living

          How to succeed: Laura Hammett, Creative Director of London interior architecture & design studio

        • Living
          Where to rent furniture in Hong Kong
          Living
          5 spring decor must-haves for your home
          Living
          Q&A: Sexologist Sara Tang on improving sexual wellness and how feng shui can help boost intimacy
  • Gear
        • Gear
          • Gear
          • Tech
          • Motoring
        • Gear

          5 simple hacks for speeding up your old phone

        • Gear
          The best wireless chargers for iPhone and Android in 2021
          Gear
          Will.i.am’s futuristic Xupermask combines a face mask with bluetooth headphones
          Gear
          6 things you didn’t know that your iPhone 12 could do
  • Directory
  • Stay Home Guide
HK
  • SG
  • BK
  • KL
  • IND
  • What's On
  • Food & Drink
    • Dining
    • Drinks
    • Reviews
  • Style
    • Fashion
    • Watches
    • Jewellery
    • Siam Magical Moments
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Hotels & Resorts
  • Culture
    • Entertainment
    • Architecture
    • Events
    • Art & Design
    • Christmas with Lifestyle Asia
  • Beauty & Grooming
    • Grooming
    • Makeup
    • Skincare
    • The Essence of La Prairie
  • Living
    • People
    • Wellness
    • Property & Interiors
    • Luxe Living Asia
  • Gear
    • Tech
    • Motoring
  • Directory
  • City Guides
  • Christmas 2020
  • Stay Home Guide
Home > Culture > Architecture
Culture
05 Mar 2021

9 of the most iconic Art Deco buildings in the world

Browse gallery
exit slideshow
Eastern Columbia Building, US

This 13-storey building, nicknamed the “Jewel of Downtown,” was designed by architect Claud Beelman in 1930. Standing at a height of 264ft, this building with its four-sided clock tower dominates the Los Angeles skyline. Its blue-green terracotta exterior, along with its golden doorways reflect the lavish and avant-garde lifestyle of the ‘20s and ’30s.

(Image credit: Andreas Praefcke on Wikimedia Commons)

Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, Singapore

This building was designed by Serbian architect D. S. Petrovitch in 1932 and was influenced by both Art Deco and Neoclassical designs. The Art Deco style is evident by the geometric patterns in the arches of the portico and the ceiling, as well as the four sculptures in the facade that denote four sectors of the Malayan economy — agriculture, commerce, transport, and industry. The former Tanjong Pagar Railway Station is currently being renovated.

(Image credit: EquatorialSky2 on Wikimedia Commons)

Cinema Impero, Eritrea

Located in the capital city of Asmara, this cinema was constructed in 1937 by Italian colonial authorities. It was built after Italian leader Benito Mussolini’s conquest of the country and proclamation of the Italian Empire. Designed by architect Mario Messina, the building is adorned with 45 lights in the front, along with illuminated letters that spell out “Cinema Impero.” There are several doors with semi-circular handles that lead into the cinema. Its sharp vertical lines, paired with symmetrical yet minimal designs along its windows, lights, and nameplate make it one of the finest examples of Art Deco style. Today, this landmark theatre exclusively screens Eritrean films.

(Image credit: David Stanley on Wikimedia Commons)

Rockefeller Center, US

Originally designed to house the new Metropolitan Opera house, Rockefeller Center is one of the most recognisable complexes in New York City, comprising 19 individual limestone buildings across 22 acres of land. Built mainly in the Art Deco style, the buildings feature signature vertical lines, spires, and skyscrapers with crowned rooftops. Some of the most notable Art Deco motifs and sculptures here include limestone panels “Morning, Present, Evening” above 1270 Avenue of the Americas entrance, the carving of Columbia called “Progress” above the 49th Street entrance, and “Wisdom” (pictured), above the main entrance of 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

(Image credit: Vincent Tullo for The New York Times)

Palace of Fine Arts, Mexico

Nestled in the heart of Mexico City, the Palacio de Bellas Artes’ interior is designed in Art Deco style — with luxuriously coloured marble and sharp lines with a streamlined look. The exterior is primarily in the Neoclassical and Art Nouveau styles. This national landmark houses murals by artists such as Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, and David Siqueiros. It depicts the rich cultural history of Mexico and is marked by its distinctive tympanum in the central part.

(Image credit: Octavio Alonso Maya Castro on Wikimedia Commons)

Shiv Shanti Bhuvan, India

This bright yellow and green building in Mumbai is known as the “eyebrow queen” of the city, owing to its rounded shades jutting over the windows. Built between 1934 and 1935, it is also characterised by its Egyptian-inspired inverted sunbursts, sweeping curves, layered chevrons, and frozen fountain motif (a symbol for eternal life), made famous by French designer René Lalique.

(Image credit: Architectural Digest)

Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Belgium

This church in Brussels was built to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Belgian independence. Construction began in 1905 but it was halted due to the outbreak of the two World Wars. Its most striking feature is the big, green dome, set in contrast with the church’s red terracotta walls. One can enjoy breath-taking panoramic views of the city from the basilica’s observation deck.

(Image credit: Markus Koljonen on Wikimedia Commons)

Fairmont Peace Hotel, China

Located in Shanghai, this hotel (lit in green in the picture above) overlooking the Bund is a luxurious Art Deco masterpiece. It was originally known as the Cathay Hotel in 1926, built by British businessman, Sir Victor Sassoon; and was later refurbished. The building boasts of a Renaissance-style exterior and is divided into the south and north buildings. It is also known for its grand copper-sheathed roof, high-ceilinged corridors, and Art Deco details like a geometric façade with sharp, linear lines.

(Image credit: Brent Winebrenner/Getty Images/Architectural Digest)

Kavanagh building, Argentina

This skyscraper in Buenos Aires was conceptualised by local architects in 1934. It was designed in Modernism and Art Deco style, with a rationalist approach (where preference is given to simplicity instead of decorations) — replete with straight, slender lines and no external ornamentation in order to avoid any extra weight.

(Image credit: Markos Prack on Wikimedia Commons)

Ipsita Kabiraj
Share this article
Culture
9 of the most iconic Art Deco buildings in the world
Share this article
Next article

Art Deco, or Arts Décoratifs, is an architectural style known to illustrate luxury, old school glamour, and sophistication, with vibrant hues and bold geometric patterns.

France developed this modern style of architecture while recovering from the aftermath of World War I. Years of austerity during the war gave way to a period of extravagance after it ended, giving birth to this opulent style.

The style was first exhibited at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (“Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes”) held in Paris in 1925. On display were works of over 15,000 designers, artists, and architects such as Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Jean Dunand, and Pierre Chareau. The artworks showcased the bold use of colours and straight, clean lines. The exhibition was toured by 16 million people over a span of seven months.

The movement soon reached the US, and icons of Art Deco architecture like the Rockefeller Center were built. In the 1930s, it also saw a boom in Miami’s South Beach. After experiencing a decline during World War II, the style slowly revived in the 1960s and 1970s, especially in the US, owing to illustrations in books and magazines. Today, Art Deco finds a place in buildings, contemporary fashion, jewellery, and art.

Let us look at some of the most stunning Art Deco buildings around the world — some incorporated with Egyptian influences, as well as elements of cubism and futurism.

Main and featured image courtesy of Maxine Dimanlig  via Unsplash

See the original post here.

Travel Art Architecture Luxury Art Deco Art Deco buildings
Ipsita Kabiraj

Most Popular

  • Culture
    The 10 most followed Instagram accounts in the world
  • Food & Drink
    10 Hong Kong beach bars and restaurants for a blissful city escape
  • Food & Drink
    New Eats: Afternoon tea at Hue, spring menus at 208 Duecento Otto, and more restaurant news
  • Food & Drink
    Where to sample a taste of Okinawa in Hong Kong
  • Food & Drink
    New restaurants to try in April 2021
  • Food & Drink
    Cassio’s Gilbert Yeung on the new redesign by the former creative director of Daft Punk
  • Gear
    Will.i.am’s futuristic Xupermask combines a face mask with bluetooth headphones
  • Travel
    8 farm-to-table hotel experiences driving sustainable tourism
  • Travel
    Small Luxury Hotels of the World wants you to seek simplicity once travel takes off
  • Food & Drink
    Elevate your weekend cheeseboard with these gourmet tips

Recommended For You

Travel

The world’s most stunning vineyards

Living

The world’s most Googled homes

Travel

11 of the world’s most unusual beaches to put on your bucket list

Living

The history behind some of the world’s most iconic chairs

For your daily updates on all things luxury, follow us at @lifestyleasiahk

What if fruit could lend a helping hand in keeping What if fruit could lend a helping hand in keeping mental health on track? A new study from researchers in Australia suggests this could be the case. Click the link in bio to find out how.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
Photo: @fruit⁠
With a dry winter and little air and light polluti With a dry winter and little air and light pollution, Namibia may just be one of the best places in the world for clear, starry skies. Beautiful constellations, shooting stars and the Milky Way can be seen in all its shining glory. We’re bookmarking this destination ready for our next trip. Tell us, where have you been stargazing? ⁠
⁠
Photo: @nomadtraveler2021
With the start of spring comes another beauty laun With the start of spring comes another beauty launch from @shiseido. This time collaborating with Japanese artist and textile designer @himuroyuri, the packaging for WHITE LUCENT Illuminating Micro-Spot Serum is a playful pastel scene of cherry blossoms. The product itself is formulated to brighten and clear skin. Curious? Visit Shiseido stores across the city.
If you think you already know everything about Kay If you think you already know everything about Kayne West, think again. The 43-year-old American rapper has just sold his documentary series to Netflix for 30USD million, featuring twenty years of Kanye’s life. Covering everything from good, bad to the singer’s challenging moments in life, the series includes his early rise in his career, fashion work, family loss and his presidential run back in 2020. We're all ready with popcorn to watch this one, so stay tuned for more updates.⁠
⁠
Photo: @_calthompson
Missing travelling and eating authentic foods? You Missing travelling and eating authentic foods? You’re in luck because we've curated a list of some of the most incredible bites from Okinawa found in Hong Kong. Hit the link in bio to find your favourite Okinawa resto.⁠⁠
THIS JUST IN: EE British Academy Film Awards 2021 THIS JUST IN: EE British Academy Film Awards 2021 took place last night at Royal Albert Hall, London. If you’re interested in what celebrities wore on the red carpet, swipe to see and tell us your favourite in the comments below! 

Photo: @justjared, @priyankachopra, @bafta⁠⁠
Spring weather brings spring colours! Treating you Spring weather brings spring colours! Treating yourself to a manicure this week? Here’s the collection of our favourite seasonal designs. ⁠⁠
⁠⁠
#mondaymanicures⁠⁠
⁠⁠
Photo: @aliciatnails⁠⁠
Relax and enjoy #selfcaresundays the right way wit Relax and enjoy #selfcaresundays the right way with our guide to setting up a spa-like sanctuary at home via the link in bio. ⁠
⁠
Photo: @zoesugg
THIS JUST IN: The Met Gala, taking place in New Yo THIS JUST IN: The Met Gala, taking place in New York City once a year, has been reported to officially return in 2021. Instead of rolling out the red carpet in May, the glamorous fashion gala is scheduled to take place in September! Let’s keep our fingers crossed it goes ahead as planned and we’re able to see our favourite celebrities and designers rocking the runway. ⁠⁠
⁠⁠
Swipe through to see our favourite looks from the past years.⁠⁠
With the Easter long weekend now done and dusted, With the Easter long weekend now done and dusted, we’re yet again, on the lookout for reasons to celebrate with a perfectly chilled drink. Chime in for a hearty toast with these brand-new tipples in town via our link in bio...
Sign up for our newsletters to have the latest stories delivered straight to your inbox every week.

Yes, I agree to the Privacy Policy

sign up
  • Hong Kong
  • Singapore
  • Bangkok
  • Kuala Lumpur
  • India
  • International
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Privacy
  • Terms & Conditions
© 2021 Copyright LIFESTYLE ASIA site by Rush Hour Media