Art Deco rose to popularity in the 1920s and ’30s, making its way around the world from France to New York to Shanghai . The movement received global attention at the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris, where designers such as Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Jean Dunand, and Pierre Chareau displayed their groundbreaking work. The design style is known for gleaming lacquered or veneered surfaces, geometric forms, and far-flung influences from Egypt to antiquity. Take a tour of some of the world’s most beautiful Art Deco buildings and see why this style has stood the test of time.

Chrysler Building, New York

The Manhattan landmark was designed by architect William van Alen and completed in 1930, when, at 1,046 feet, it was briefly the tallest building in the world. The distinctive steel spire is embellished with sunburst motifs and eagle gargoyles.

The Delano, Miami

Miami’s South Beach area is bursting with gorgeous Art Deco buildings, including the Delano, a popular hotel built in 1947 by architect Robert Swartburg and renovated in 1995 by Philippe Starck.

LeVeque Tower, Columbus, Ohio

The Art Deco tower was designed by architect C. Howard Crane and completed in 1927. Located downtown, the 555-foot-tall building is clad in molded terra-cotta tiles and once served as an aerial lighthouse for pilots.

Eastern Columbia Building, Los Angeles

Located in downtown Los Angeles, the 1930 building features a striking turquoise terra-cotta exterior. The landmark was designed by prominent L.A. architect Claud Beelman, who created several of the city’s Art Deco structures.

Guardian Building, Detroit

The Art Deco skyscraper—nicknamed the Cathedral of Finance—was designed by architect Wirt C. Rowland and completed in 1929. The interior and exterior include an abundance of elaborate period details, such as mosaics, murals, and stained glass.

Fairmont Peace Hotel, Shanghai

Located on the Bund, the Cathay Hotel building—now known as the Fairmont Peace Hotel—is one of Shanghai’s Art Deco gems. The building was commissioned by real-estate tycoon Sir Victor Sassoon and completed in 1929.

Palais de Chaillot, Paris

Built for the 1937 International Exhibition, the Palais de Chaillot was designed by architects Jacques Carlu, Louis-Hippolyte Boileau, and Léon Azéma. The complex includes contributions from dozens of artisans of the period.