The Bass Museum, Miami, Florida, built 1930
On 18th September 1926, a Category 4 hurricane made landfall in Florida. The eye of the storm passed directly over Miami devastating the city and leaving 400 dead. In the following years, Miami underwent an intense period of redevelopment, its new architecture heavily influenced by the Art Deco movement in Europe.
South Beach Miami is now host to over 800 Art Deco buildings, one of the earliest built in 1930, as the Public Library and Arts Centre is now known as the Bass Museum, built by architect Russell Pancoast, it boasts simple lines and elegant modernist geometry.
The iconic Cadillac Hotel, designed to resemble a motor car, was built in 1940 by architect Roy France.
It originally boasted 106 steam heated guestrooms, a palm-studded pool and cabana area, lounge and coffee shop and private beach. The Cadillac hotel is now owned by Marriott.
The Plymouth Hotel was completed in 1940 and designed by Croatian architect and former WWI pilot Anton Skislewicz. The building's rocket-like spire holds a functioning elevator shaft and was inspired by Skislewicz's early work in aviation and naval architecture.
The Plymouth was recently renovated with Art Deco inspired interiors - next time you are in Miami, why not visit to relive the glamour of the Art Deco era?
