Art Deco Architecture in Cities
Art Deco architecture in cities flourished from the 1920s through the 1940s, and is celebrated for its bold geometry, stylized forms, and lavish ornamentation. Characterized by clean lines, stepped facades, symmetrical patterns, and the use of rich materials such as chrome, glass, and terracotta, Art Deco conveyed both modernity and elegance. Often associated with progress, luxury, and the machine age, these buildings frequently feature decorative motifs like sunbursts, zigzags, chevrons, and stylized floral designs.
Urban centers around the world became canvases for this striking architectural style, with skyscrapers, theaters, civic buildings, and apartment blocks showcasing its distinctive flair. Many of these structures still stand today, adding a timeless glamour to the cityscapes they inhabit.
Below is a curated listing of Art Deco architecture currently featured on the Decorative Cities website, highlighting examples from various metropolitan areas. Each entry celebrates the unique details and historical context of these enduring architectural gems.
Art Deco in Cities & Towns
Brantford, Ontario is home to a notable collection of Art Deco architecture, reflecting the city’s prosperity and modernization during the interwar years of the 1920s and 1930s.
Guelph, Ontario features a modest but meaningful collection of Art Deco architecture, reflecting the city’s growth and modernization during the interwar period of the 1920s and 1930s.
Hamilton, Ontario is home to a remarkable collection of Art Deco architecture that spans both its downtown core and residential neighbourhoods like Westdale.
Toronto, Ontario, is home to a remarkable array of Art Deco architecture that reflects the city’s rapid growth and modernization during the early 20th century.
This small city in New York’s Southern Tier also holds several notable examples of Art Deco architecture that reflect its mid-20th-century growth and civic development.
Tulsa, Oklahoma is home to one of the most significant yet often overlooked collections of Art Deco architecture in the United States.
Oklahoma City features a notable collection of Art Deco architecture that reflects the city’s growth and modernization during the early twentieth century.
Bartlesville, Oklahoma offers a distinctive perspective on Art Deco architecture shaped by the city’s early twentieth-century prosperity and strong ties to the oil industry.
Napier, located on the eastern coast of New Zealand’s North Island, is internationally renowned as one of the world’s best-preserved Art Deco cities.
Art Deco Architectural Locations
RMS Queen Mary Art Deco Ship in Los Angeles, CA – Historic Ocean Liner & Museum
Explore the Iconic RMS Queen Mary: Art Deco Ocean Liner in Los Angeles Home › Art Deco The RMS Queen Mary, docked in Los Angeles,…
Read MoreUptown Theatre Art Deco Landmark in Sedalia, Missouri – Historic Theatre & Architecture
Discover the Uptown Theatre: Sedalia’s Art Deco Architectural Gem Home › Art Deco The Uptown Theatre in Sedalia, Missouri, is a striking example of Art…
Read MoreSteel Building Art Deco Architecture in Brantford, Ontario – Historic Landmark
Explore the Steel Building: Art Deco Architecture in Downtown Brantford Home › Art Deco The Steel Building in downtown Brantford stands as a striking example…
Read MoreVilla Empain Art Deco in Brussels, Belgium – Historic Architectural Landmark
Discover Villa Empain: Art Deco Masterpiece in Brussels Home › Art Deco The Villa Empain is a masterful example of Art Deco elegance, blending geometry,…
Read MoreEgyptian Theatre DeKalb Illinois – Historic Egyptian Revival & Art Deco Landmark
Explore the Egyptian Theatre: Historic Egyptian Revival Landmark in DeKalb, IL Home › Art Deco The Egyptian Theatre in DeKalb, Illinois is a striking example…
Read MoreCounty Theater Art Deco in Doylestown, PA – Historic Streamline Moderne Cinema
Explore the County Theater: Art Deco Streamline Moderne Landmark in Doylestown Home › Art Deco The County Theater, is a shining example of American Streamline…
Read MoreArt Deco Daily Telegraph Building in Napier, New Zealand – Iconic 1930s Architecture
Explore the Art Deco Daily Telegraph Building in Napier Home › Art Deco in Napier, New Zealand The Daily Telegraph Building in Napier, New Zealand…
Read MoreBrussels Centre for Fine Arts – Art Deco Architecture
The Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels, commonly known as BOZAR, is a masterpiece of Art Deco architecture and one of the city’s most significant…
Read MoreR. C. Harris Water Treatment Plant – Art Deco Architecture in Toronto, Ontario
Explore the Art Deco R. C. Harris Water Treatment Plant in Toronto, Ontario Home › Art Deco in Toronto, Ontario The R.C. Harris Water Treatment…
Read MoreCorning Museum of Glass in New York State – World-Renowned Glass Museum & Art Center
Explore the Corning Museum of Glass – Premier Glass Art & History Museum in NY Home › Art Deco in Corning, New York Nestled in…
Read MoreArt Deco Architecture at 34-36 E Market St, Corning NY – Historic Downtown Landmark
Art Deco Architecture at 34-36 E Market Street in Corning, New York Home › Art Deco in Corning, New York The building at 34-36 E…
Read MoreArt Deco Building at 136 Walnut Street, Corning NY – Historic Downtown Architecture
Art Deco Building at 136 Walnut Street in Corning, New York Home › Art Deco in Corning, New York The building at 136 Walnut Street,…
Read MoreArt Deco Clock on Corning, NY Building – Historic Bank Clock & Landmark
Discover the Art Deco Clock on a Historic Corning, NY Building Home › Art Deco in Corning, New York The clock attached to the building…
Read MoreOld Post Office Art Deco Architecture in Georgetown, Ontario
Old Post Office – A Classic Example of Art Deco in Georgetown, Ontario Home › Art Deco Nestled in the heart of historic Georgetown, the…
Read MoreThe Westdale Art Deco Theatre in Hamilton, Ontario – Historic Cinema & Cultural Landmark
Discover The Westdale: Art Deco Theatre & Cultural Hub in Hamilton, ON Home › Art Deco in Hamilton, Ontario The Westdale Theatre, located at 1014…
Read MoreSpadina House Museum – Art Nouveau & Art Deco in Toronto, Ontario
Spadina House Museum: Art Nouveau & Art Deco Architecture in Toronto Home › Art Deco in Toronto, Ontario Spadina House, located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada,…
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