Art Deco Architecture - New York City Skyscrapers

NYC Architecture - Art Deco

The period termed "art deco" manifested itself roughly between the two world wars, or 1920 to 1939. Many actually stretch this period back to 1900 and even as far as the late 1950's, but work of this time is generally considered to be more of an influence to the Art Deco style, or having been influenced by the style. As with many other art movements, even work of today is still being influenced by the past. This period of design and style did not just affect architecture, but all of the fine and applied arts as well. Furniture, sculpture, clothing, jewelry and graphic design were all influenced by the Art Deco style.

Common themes

Basically it was a "modernization" of many artistic styles and themes from the past. You can easily detect in many examples of Art Deco the influence of Far and Middle Eastern design, Greek and Roman themes, and even Egyptian and Mayan influence. Modern elements included echoing machine and automobile patterns and
shapes such as stylized gears and wheels, or natural elements such as sunbursts and flowers.

New York City has perhaps the most varied skyscraper "family" in the world. All prevailing design styles from the late 19th century to date are represented there -- as well as several buildings that have either become cornerstones in skyscraper design, or have been notable for their sheer size, stimulating imagination even more.

Neither any other city is as much defined by its high-rises than New York. For example, the Empire State Building must be as well-known a symbol around the world as the Statue of Liberty.

THE AMERICAN STANDARD BUILDING (40 W 40th St.)

Barclay-Vesey
140 West St.

THE MARRIOTT EAST SIDE HOTEL (525 Lexington Ave.)

THE PARAMOUNT
BUILDING
(1501 Broadway)

THE AMERICAN STANDARD BUILDING (40 W 40th St.)

Built in 1924 for the American Radiator Co., a heater company, and had one of the first stepped-back pyramidal silhouettes in the city. The program for the building called for a relatively small structure, and to give the structure an enhanced appearance of a tower, Hood brought the building in form the lot borders. The black brickwork on the facade was chosen to lessen the visual contrast between the walls and the windows and thus give the tower an effect of solidity and massiveness. The Gothic-style pinnacles and the friezes on the edges of the setbacks are coated with gold. The base is clad in bronze plating and black granite. There are carved allegories, symbolizing the transformation of matter into energy, quite appropriate for a heater company. The entrance lobby is decorated with black marble and mirrors.

Barclay-Vesey Bldg.

The 152-meter building is considered to be the first Art Deco skyscraper
and its designers were also awarded the Architectural League of
New York's gold medal of honor for 1927 for fine expression the
new industrial age.The brick-clad building is topped with a short, sturdy
tower, with the vertical piers ending on 'battlements' on top and with
sculptural ornaments on the setbacks. The entrance is decorated with
bronze engravings with a main theme of bells, the symbol of the
Bell Telephone Company. The lobby of the building runs the whole
length of the building, with the floor covered with bronze plates
depicting the construction of New York's telephone network, and the
ceiling has frescoes with the theme of the history of communication.

THE MARRIOTT EAST SIDE HOTEL (525 Lexington Ave.)

Was completed in 1924 as the Shelton Towers Hotel, then the tallest in the world. The 34-storey building's exterior follows the zoning regulations with its triple setbacks. Each setback and the top was clad in limestone, in contrast to the overall facade brickwork.

Also, the base is of limestone, and the decor and arches are neo-Romanesque. The
decor also includes protruding gargoyles above entrance as well as extensive use of
other sculptures. The hotel was built with 1,200 guest rooms for bachelor residents,
but was soon turned into an ordinary mixed-use hotel. To cater for occupants' needs, the top housed sporting facilities and roof gardens. Painter Georgia O'Keefe lived in suite 3003, which she also used as her studio, until 1934.

THE PARAMOUNT BUILDING
(1501 Broadway)

Completed in 1926 for the paramount Pictures film company. The building's fourteen setbacks are reminiscent of a 'para'mountain and the building top with the stylized globe is illuminated at night. The building originally housed the offices for the Paramount Pictures and it incorporated also the new, grandiose cinema, the Paramount Theater, which could house 3,664 people. The theater sported the Grand Hall, a lobby larger than that of the Paris Opera, as well as several lounges and promenades.

The Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is the quadri-faced pharos of the city. And until outstripped by the twin towers of the World Trade Center (1975), its 102 floors were the highest in New York. Though designed at the end of the so-called Art Deco period in the 1920s, when zigzagged appliques were prominent, its exterior shows little of the frippery characteristic of that 'decorated' period. It is, moreover, one of the very few skyscrapers with four facades, not just one facing the avenue.

"Zoning required several setbacks, but these were given a skillful buildup of scale at the lower levels, while the tower itself rises unflinchingly. Indented setbacks in the center of each of the long sides help lateral scale. An observation platform and a pylon topped by a television transmission antenna crown all."

—from G.E. Kidder Smith. Looking at Architecture. p152.

More Art Deco Skyscrapers in NYC
greatbuildings.com - new_york_city
NYC architecture photos
architecture resources and databases
More Architecture - Gargoyles
Table of Contents
Feedback
Sign Mary's Guestbook
Empire State Building The official site of the building itself.
Empire State Building - At the New York Public Library. Includes cool construction