Celebrating World Art Deco Day: A Conversation on Style, Legacy, and Local Treasures

In honor of World Art Deco Day, we interviewed the Art Deco Society of Washington (ADSW) to learn more about these architectural treasures in our nation’s capital.

NBM: What defines Art Deco architecture? Where did it originate?

ADSW: Art Deco is what we now recognize as the modern design style that flourished between the two World Wars. It began in Europe, evolving from Art Nouveau, and was initially a luxurious, highly ornamented movement. Where Art Nouveau romanticized nature, Art Deco celebrated mechanization and industry.

The movement gained global attention during the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris, which we’re excited to commemorate as its centennial approaches in 2025. Although the U.S. didn’t officially participate, American designers and merchandisers visited and brought back a renewed design fervor that led to iconic structures like the Chrysler Building. Over time, Art Deco evolved into a more pared-down, streamlined style, often seen as a nod to optimism during the hardships of the Great Depression.

Interestingly, the term “Art Deco” wasn’t coined until the 1960s, when art historian Bevis Hillier retroactively named the style after the 1925 exposition.

NBM: What are some standout examples of Art Deco architecture in Washington, DC?

ADSW: DC has a wealth of standout Art Deco buildings. Some of our favorites include:

• The Kennedy-Warren Apartments on Connecticut Avenue
• The Department of Justice Building in Federal Triangle
• The Majestic Apartments on 16th Street
• The Hecht Company Warehouse in Ivy City

NBM: Are there lesser-known or hidden Art Deco gems in the city?

ADSW: Absolutely. That’s what makes Art Deco in DC so fascinating—you’ll find great examples across nearly every neighborhood in the metro area, including parts of Maryland and Virginia. While we may not have a concentrated district like Miami Beach, the stylistic footprint here is wide and varied.

NBM: Is there a DC building that tells a particularly compelling Art Deco story?

ADSW: Yes—1100 New York Avenue, NW, the former Greyhound Bus Station. Opened in 1940, it’s a prime example of streamlined Art Deco design and was innovative for its time with features like dedicated bus access separate from pedestrian and auto traffic. It played a crucial role during WWII and the Civil Rights Movement.

After falling into disuse and even being covered in a metal façade for the Bicentennial, it was preserved, thanks in part to our advocacy, and beautifully incorporated into a new office building. The original waiting room now serves as the building’s lobby and is open to the public. It’s a must-see.

NBM: How have DC’s Art Deco buildings aged, and what preservation challenges do they face?

ADSW: Many have aged incredibly well thanks to durable materials like limestone, terrazzo, and glass block. Their beauty also helps—people want to keep and care for them. The primary challenge today is adaptive reuse: reimagining buildings for modern needs. Fortunately, DC has many success stories, like the Greyhound Station and the Hecht Warehouse, now a vibrant apartment complex.

NBM: How does DC’s Art Deco compare to cities like New York or Miami?

ADSW: DC offers something unique, particularly through its “Greco-Deco” federal buildings of the 1930s. These use the classical language of architecture but distill and stylize it through an Art Deco lens. The Department of Justice building is a great example—it has all the bones of a neoclassical structure but with modernist, geometric flair. You can also see this blend in the Adams Building of the Library of Congress, the Klingle Valley Bridge, and the Folger Shakespeare Library.

NBM: Do you have a personal favorite Art Deco building in DC?

ADSW: Definitely—Sedgwick Gardens in Cleveland Park. Its architectural details are delightful: the white “speedline” brick bands, ornate stonework, female figures above the entrance, and a lobby that feels like a Byzantine palace. It was one of the first commissions by Armenian-American architect Mihran Mesrobian, who launched his practice in DC during the Depression after emigrating post-WWI. It’s also meaningful to us because we helped advocate for its interior landmark designation, preserving that beautiful lobby for generations to come.

The Art Deco Society of Washington fosters awareness, preservation, and appreciation of the Art Deco period in the Washington, DC area. Learn more at