Houston deco

by Jim Parsons

When it comes to art deco, Houston is rarely cited in the same breath as Miami, New York, or Los Angeles, but this Texas city boasts many gorgeous examples of this early 20th-century style, some of which are in jeopardy of being forever altered or demolished. In the 1920s, as Houston was beginning its transition from medium-sized Southern city to major American metropolis, local business and civic leaders made a conscious decision to create a new image for their community. As the Roaring Twenties gave way to the Great Depression, Art Deco zigzags and Art Moderne streamlining reshaped the city's stores, skyscrapers, factories, and apartment buildings. More than 100 color photographs showcase the fine detailing on Houston's surviving Art Deco and Art Moderne structures. From downtown landmarks to east end industrial sites, this lavish guide captures the grace and beauty of these innovative designs with an eye towards the importance of conservation, restoration, and preservation.