Art Deco architecture reached its height during the 1920s and ’30s, just after World War I. Experts widely accept France as its place of origin in the 1910s. While it began in Europe, art deco architecture quickly took hold in major U.S. cities and became one of the most iconic visual styles of the early 20th century.
Defined by intricate geometric patterns and clean, stylized lines, art deco architecture blends craftsmanship with industrial edge. Though it took some time to catch on, this architectural style is now widely used to visually represent the period in pop culture. Think The Great Gatsby (1925), the sci-fi classic Metropolis (1927), or the art deco-inspired world of Bioshock (2007).
Art Deco was, and to this day is, a celebration of human ingenuity and creativity. It fuses organic curves with sharp angles—paying tribute to symmetry, form, and the beauty of bold design.
Here are five of the finest examples of art deco architecture in the United States:
Delano Hotel: Art Deco Architecture in Miami
Designed by architect Robert Swarthburg and completed in 1947, the Delano Hotel is a prime example of post-war art deco architecture. Named after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the building boasts bold vertical lines and signature geometric motifs that define the art deco style.
Rockefeller Center (New York City, NY)
This famed Midtown Manhattan complex was envisioned by architect Raymond Hood, who had already gained recognition for his neo-Gothic work. At Rockefeller Center, you’ll find everything that makes art deco architecture special: stylized sculptures, intricate façade carvings, and decorative metalwork. It remains one of New York’s most iconic examples of the style.
Eastern Columbia Building: A Los Angeles Art Deco Landmark
Nicknamed the “Jewel of Downtown”, this iconic building designed by Claud Beelman almost didn’t exist. At the time it was developed in the late 1920s, Los Angeles had a building height cap of 150 feet in place.
But when officials saw Beelman’s plans, they decided to make an exception, and the crew broke ground on this 13-story masterpiece. When it opened its doors in 1930, this Art Deco clock tower indeed towered over the city, drawing eyes to its magnificent vertical lines that make it seem to rise forever and glossy turquoise exterior that sparkles in the sun—making it a standout in the world of art deco architecture.
Chrysler Building (New York City, NY)
Combining vertical lines with triangles and arches, this example of Art Deco is so recognizable as Art Deco architecture that even a first-year art student would recognize it. Before the Empire State Building in 1931, this creation of architect William Van Alen was the tallest building in the city.
Chicago Board of Trade Building (Chicago, IL)
Like some Art Deco architecture, the 45-story trade building may not look like much from a distance. But once you get closer, you see the intricacy of its stylized design, with angular faceless human and animal forms. Step inside to witness the sharp vertical lines accented with the occasional soft curve and recessed windows. John A. Holabird and John Wellborn Root Jr designed this work of art and opened its doors in 1930. Like every building on this list, it continues to stand as a striking example of the Art Deco period.
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