Well, 2020 was supposed to be full of nostalgic glam, harkening back to the Roaring ’20s and optimistic Great Gatsby glitz. It hasn’t been a champagne coupe kind of year, but the now century-old art deco eye candy that’s scattered around the globe isn’t going anywhere.
This fresh, decorative style emerged from France just before WWI and lasted well into the 1940s. Innovative modern forms were augmented by imagery and colors inspired as never before by travel to far-flung destinations such as the South Pacific, Egypt, and China – locations newly accessible to the colonial leisure class, who boarded new steam and rail lines to tour the world. For those unable to travel, influential artists like Matisse, Gauguin, and Cézanne brought their interpretations of global art forms back to European audiences.
Durban, South Africa
The prominence of art deco architecture in Durban indicates a complex history. In the 1920s and ’30s, colonialism was prominent while a rising sense of African nationalism swept through the continent. During the art deco period, colonizers brought a trove of African artifacts and religious objects back to European museums and galleries, influencing white artists who appropriated indigenous African motifs.
Imperial powers returned a “whitewashed” version of these motifs to Africa in new synthesized styles like art deco, just as cities like Durban (known by the Zulu as eThekweni) expanded and sought to showcase their modern, European sensibilities. Notably, the end of both art deco and colonialism was imminent following WWII, with South Africa laying the groundwork for apartheid.
You can explore this intricate history throughout the city at sites like Surrey Mansions, the Cenotaph in Francis Farewell Square, the Colonial Mutual Building, Adam’s Booksellers, and the Surat Hindoo Association Building. Discover self-guided walking tour maps and points of interest from the Durban Art Deco Society.
Casablanca, Morocco
It’s no surprise that Casablanca boasts numerous art deco examples, given that France established a colonial presence in Morocco in 1912, coinciding with the style’s explosion. What emerged during the French Protectorate era was Mauresque, a blend of traditional Moroccan designs and art deco, seen in sites like Cinema Rialto, Palais de Justice, and the 1918 La Poste, among others. Don’t forget to explore Rue Idriss Lhrizi for even more stunning details, before relaxing at the famous Hotel Transatlantique, built in 1922.
Napier, New Zealand
New Zealand experienced its deadliest natural disaster – the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake – which leveled much of Napier. The rebuilding efforts resulted in a remarkably complete art deco Main Street, garnering comparisons to other famous seaside cities like Miami Beach and Santa Barbara and securing a nomination for Unesco World Heritage Site status in 2007.
Make sure to visit sites like the Daily Telegraph headquarters, the National Tobacco Company Building, and the Tom Parker fountain – though the entire downtown is a treat for the eyes. For a real Gatsby experience, consider a combined wine and architecture tour, or take a vintage auto for a scenic adventure in New Zealand’s oldest wine region .
At the end of your day, stay at the Art Deco Masonic Hotel. This streamlined gem sits on the site of the original hotel, constructed in the 1860s and lost to the earthquake. The current version was designed by architect W. J. Prowse, symbolizing Napier’s resilience.
Los Angeles, California
Angelinos and visitors alike recognize that Los Angeles contains multitudes, yet amid the city’s expansive evolution (and home-grown architectural staples like the dingbat), it retains its association with the glitz of Old Hollywood. Now that DTLA is experiencing a renaissance, many beloved 1920s locations have become fashionable once again, such as the Golden Gopher, surrounded by period beauties like the Garfield Building and Freehand Los Angeles.
As you explore the DTLA neighborhood, don’t miss The CalEdison building (the lobby is open to the public), The Oviatt Building, or the Los Angeles Central Public Library – and certainly not City Hall. Further afield, consider dining at El Cholo, a 1920s establishment with a bright neon sign, or the Tam O’Shanter, favored by Walt Disney for a Scotch. In Hollywood, don’t miss the Frolic Room, originally a speakeasy and later a common dive, especially after the chic Deco Pantages Theatre opened next door.
There’s an abundance of period hotels to immerse yourself in, with some of the finest being The Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica, Hotel Normandie in Wilshire, and Sunset Tower in West Hollywood.
Kaunas, Lithuania
Between WWI and WWII, Kaunas experienced a flourishing construction boom, positioning itself as Lithuania’s capital. This period resulted in numerous buildings that conveyed a modern aesthetic infused with art deco charm. Iconic examples include the Central Post Office, banks, and government headquarters like the Kaunas Municipality building, all setting a tone of renewed Lithuanian history and national identity. Cultural attractions such as theaters and cinemas also embraced this architectural trend, culminating in creations like the Christ’s Resurrection Basilica, which broke ground in 1934.
Shanghai, China
Thanks to an influx of Europeans who had absorbed Asian design since the art nouveau era, along with Chinese students returning from abroad with art deco inspirations, 1920s Shanghai became a canvas for an international generation of architects eager to innovate.
A century later, the waterfront Bund district and the old French Concession offer travelers a glimpse into this colonial era and the evolution of the Chinese Deco style associated with Shanghai. These neighborhoods are ideal for leisurely strolls past period sites, including the Bank of China Building, the Bank of Communications Building, the Cathay Theatre, and the Shanghai Arts and Crafts Museum.
For your stay, consider the Peace Hotel, Okura Garden Hotel, the Peninsula Shanghai, or the Metropolo Classiq, or Langham Yangtze Boutique Hotel, or Les Suites Orient – all classics showcasing beautiful deco architecture updated with the latest amenities.
Mumbai, India
In his 1999 novel The Ground Beneath Her Feet, Salman Rushdie’s protagonist Rai states about Mumbai, “…as for the glittering art deco sweep of Marine Dr, well, that was something not even Rome could boast. I actually grew up believing art deco to be the ‘Bombay style,’ a local invention derived, in all probability, from the imperative of the verb ‘to see.’ Art dekho.”
Art deco was introduced to India by British colonizers. A building boom in Mumbai during the 1930s coincided with the style’s rise and present an opportunity for Indian architects to create their unique interpretation of art deco. The overwhelming presence of art deco structures earned the Oval Maiden a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list, consistently impressing both locals and visitors alike on Mumbai architectural tours. From movie theaters like the Liberty Cinema to the undulating Jehangir Art Gallery, alongside the ornate profiles of art deco apartment buildings, Mumbai offers a feast for the senses, transporting visitors back in time.
Relax at day’s end in the modest, historical Sea Green South Hotel – a charming, budget-friendly spot bursting with vintage allure.
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo emerged as a leading US city during its boom from the turn of the century onwards. Head downtown to the Court Street corridor, home to some of the best examples of its art deco flavor, featuring the magnificently detailed Buffalo City Hall, along with Central Terminal (currently undergoing redevelopment into an event space), the Industrial Bank Building, and the Electric Tower Building.
Hotel Niagara is slated to resume operations in 2021, reviving this 1924 gem for the first time since 2007. Meanwhile, soak up the jazzy vibes in the lobby of the Hotel @ the Lafayette, a stunning property that fuses various styles from the Edwardian to the Deco to the contemporary.
St Petersburg, Florida
Miami often receives most of the accolades for its impressive art deco edifices, but it doesn’t hold an exclusive claim over mid-war glitz. Further north, St Petersburg possesses its own 1920s treasures, from the Salvador Dali Museum to Euro-inspired neighborhoods and arcades cultivated by art deco enthusiast Perry Snell.
Much of the city integrates the Mediterranean style with art deco influences, creating a distinct Florida deco genre evident in structures like the Municipal Utilities Building, St. Petersburg City Hall, and Christ United Methodist Church, all the way to the eclectic Randolph Hotel and even a Family Dollar store in a surprising twist. On the opposite side of the peninsula from downtown St Pete, enjoy brunch at the charming Stella’s and stroll the neighborhood, culminating your visit at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom, a pastel dream dating back to the lively jazz age of the ’30s.
Perhaps the crown jewel of St. Pete’s deco gems is the Don CeSar hotel, affectionately known as the Pink Palace. A true jazz age magnet, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Al Capone, along with President FDR, were all guests here. The Pink Palace also appeared in Italian filmmaker Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in America (1984).
If you’d prefer a more low-key stay, the Avalon presents a streamlined environment near Beach Drive and attractions like the Dali Museum. Its exterior embodies pure art deco style, while the inside embraces St Pete’s artsy vibe with modern, Instagram-ready decor.
Montevideo, Uruguay
Montevideo may not receive the same attention as other South American capitals, but it boasts a rich art deco heritage thanks to an economic boom and urban expansion during its peak. Be sure to visit the Rinaldi building near the Plaza Independencia and the Palacio Díaz skyscraper adjacent to City Hall. Explore the Montevideo Center for Photography and the Don Hotel, all while keeping an eye out for numerous period apartment buildings. It’s fascinating to observe Uruguay’s distinctive, often monochrome interpretation of art deco forms. For lodging, consider the New Arapey Hotel, which reflects the style both inside and out.
Detroit, Michigan
Like Buffalo, Detroit experienced a flourishing period during the deco years, coinciding with the rise of the automobile industry and a surge of immigrants seeking employment in the city’s factories. Throughout this era, new structures emerged in the latest architectural style, including jazz clubs like Cliff Bell’s, the iconic Fisher Building, the glittering Fox Theater, the Penobscot Building, and the skyscrapers like the Guardian Building. There’s a wealth to explore in Detroit, making it worthwhile to embark on a walking tour. Afterward, unwind at The Siren Hotel, built in 1926 and originally known as the Wurlitzer Building.
