A style overlapping the Roaring Twenties and the years of the Great Depression, Art Deco debuted in 1925 at the Paris Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes.
Art Nouveau--a popular style from 1895 to 1905--was fanciful and known for its sinuous lines and leitmotifs of draping vines; flowers such as lilies, irises and poppies; figures of dancers in diaphanous gowns and birds such as swans and peacocks. Art Deco was an iconoclast in the face of Art Nouveau. It was the thematic polar opposite. It utilized geometry and symmetry and put emphasis on sharp angles, exact forms and clean architectural styles. Additional distinctions of this period included application of stucco and terrazzo floors--concrete floors imbedded with marble or granite chips that were then buffed and polished. In lieu of birds and flowers, Art Deco's hallmark embellishments were sun rays and pyramid-shaped designs.
The 1922 discovery of King Tutankhamen's tomb in the Valley of Kings was a juggernaut in Art Deco history, catalyzing a renewed interest in all things Egyptian, as is evident by the use of sharp triangles and pyramid-like shapes decorating lunettes, niches and miscellaneous nooks and crannies. Other influences were the ancient Mayan and Greek civilizations. The art movement of Cubism was an inspiration for Art Deco. Additional credit goes to the popularity of the burlesque darling Josephine Baker. Embraced by Parisian society, she catalyzed interest in African design and fabrics, which had the zigzag lines and triangular sun rays that molded Art Deco sensibilities.
The 1920s saw a return of lavish lifestyles, palatial homes and swanky vacations. The rich flocked to South Beach, Miami. With their money, they jumped on the Art Deco bandwagon and began building Art Deco style hotels and vacation homes. Between 1920 and 1929 Miami went through a land boom, with businessmen and entrepreneurs such as James Penney, founder of the J.C. Penney chain, Harvey Firestone, head honcho of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, and numerous other tycoons building Art Deco mansions on Collins Row, thus giving this popular three-mile stretch the sobriquet "Millionaire's Row."
Art Deco buildings in Miami were, and still are, characterized by the use of color. Inspired by the tropical tenor of the city, buildings were painted in pastel shades of yellow, peach, oceanic blue, seashell pink, coral and sea green.
Thanks to the Miami Preservation League, numerous hotels survive to this day, bringing history to life. In 1937, the Beacon Hotel incorporated elements of Art Deco that endure today, such as polished marble floors, a streamlined exterior and floors marked with geometric designs.
Beacon Hotel
720 Ocean Drive
305-674-8200
mybeaconhotel.com
The Park Central Hotel was designed by Henry Hohauser--a prolific designer whose resume included Art Deco hotspots in Miami such as the Essex House Hotel built in 1938 and the Edison Hotel built in 1935. An ideal example of Art Deco, the Park Central lobby is composed of pink and green terrazzo and retro-style ceiling fans.
Park Central Hotel
640 Ocean Drive
305-538-1611
theparkcentral.com
In 1939, when the Winter Haven Hotel opened its doors, it was in the forefront of modern architecture. With a skytop solarium and verandas overlooking the ocean, its rooms maintain the Art Deco stylization with rooms colored in favored pastel colors of muted yellow, pale green and ginger. The walls are covered with black and white photos of Miami Beach Deco hotels during their heyday.
Winter Haven Hotel
1400 Ocean Drive
305-531-5571
winterhavenhotelsobe.com