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Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -

Backed by urban jungle and facing one of the most famous beaches on the planet, Rio de Janeiro's elegant Copacabana Palace Hotel has entertained A-listers since its doors swung open in 1923.

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Supreme Court of Canada, Ottawa, Canada -

Although at a glance it looks somewhat like an example of Brutalist architecture, this 1939-inaugurated building is not so austere close up. Art Deco touches include fine marble flooring and elegant candelabra.

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Beach Patrol Headquarters, Miami, USA -

Miami is renowned for its abundance of Art Deco architecture, as well as its beach scene. It's fitting, then, that the headquarters of the Ocean Drive Beach Patrol is based in this beautiful 1930s Art Deco building.

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Queens Cinema, London, England -

Now repurposed as high-end apartments, the Queens Cinema building in west London retains the 1930s Art Deco exterior that has made it a local landmark.

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Mayakovskaya Metro, Moscow, Russia -

One of the world's most beautiful metro stations, Mayakovskaya attracts hordes of architecture buffs. Designed by architect Alexey Dushkin, the Art Deco architecture and intricate ceiling paintings are based on a poem by the Soviet poet Vladimir Mayakovsky.

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Bryant Park Hotel, New York City, USA -

The storied, striking black-and-gold Bryant Park Hotel is an Art Deco skyscraper that attracts fans of the architectural style. Beginning life in the 1920s as a stylish base for the American Radiator Company, it has undergone a number of changes of use over the years.

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Mutual Building, Cape Town, South Africa -

Arguably South Africa's finest example of Art Deco architecture, Cape Town's Mutual Building boasts one of the largest granite friezes in the world. Construction on the building began in 1936, with the building opening to great fanfare in 1940. 

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Armazéns Cunhas, Porto, Portugal -

Who can resist such a fine-looking peacock? This shop in downtown Porto effortlessly attracts customers with its eye-catching Art Deco exterior. It's still owned by the Cunhas family that founded the store in 1917.

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Fine Arts Palace, Mexico City, Mexico -

Combining Art Deco and Art Nouveau influences, Mexico City's impressive Palacio de Bellas Artes has held major arts events since it opened in 1934.

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Cincinnati Union Terminal, Cincinnati, USA -

Now operating as a museum, the 1930s Cincinnati Union Terminal is a lasting monument to the Machine Age, and a time when rail travel dominated industry and leisure in America.

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Eastern Columbia Building, Los Angeles, USA -

The 13-story Eastern Columbia Building was designed by Claud Beelman and opened in 1930. It's an enduringly eye-catching building, in the Broadway Theater District of downtown Los Angeles. Despite its impressive appearance, it took mere months to build.

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Kavanagh Building, Buenos Aires, Argentina -

This staggering Art Deco skyscraper in the Retiro district of Buenos Aires was once the tallest building n South America. The landmark 1930s building no longer holds the title, but it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.

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Rockefeller Center, New York City, USA -

Opened in 1933, the Rockefeller Center in Manhattan is dominated by the 66-story 30 Rockefeller Plaza. It's a masterpiece of Art Deco design, from renowned architect Raymond Hood.

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Empire State Building, New York City, USA -

Even more impressive on the Manhattan skyline is the 102-story Empire State Building. Opened in 1931, it's one of the most famous Art Deco buildings in the world.

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National Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Brussels, Belgium -

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Palais de Chaillot, Paris, France -

Paris was at the epicenter of the Art Deco movement, and the beautiful Palais de Chaillot is an important landmark in the city. Overlooking the Trocadéro gardens, the 1930s building has two striking towers and an interior filled with Art Deco gems.

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Fairmont Peace Hotel, Shanghai, China -

Originally the Cathay, this luxurious 1929 riverfront hotel has hosted politicians, actors, and other distinguished guests throughout its history. The 10-story building has undergone several facelifts over the years, but retains its distinctive Art Deco detailing.

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Guardian Building, Detroit, USA -

Another landmark building that opened in 1929, the Guardian Building is a 40-floor skyscraper in the financial district of Detroit. Its grand design blends elements of Mayan and Aztec artwork with Art Deco styling.

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Éden Aparthotel, Lisbon, Portugal -

Formerly the Éden cinema, now the VIP Executive Éden Aparthotel, this eye-catching building is a distinctive sight in downtown Lisbon. The 1930s building is so important to the city that it holds National Monument status.

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Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -

The largest Art Deco monument in the world, Rio de Janeiro's iconic Cristo Redentor draws visitors from around the world. Completed in 1931, it's the masterwork of acclaimed French-Polish sculptor Paul Landowski, who carved the head and hands in his studio in France.

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Delano Hotel, Miami, USA -

Another notable example of Art Deco splendour in Miami, the Delano was completed in 1947. The 12-story building is notable for its stucco exterior and flat roof, and it's a major attraction for At Deco enthusiasts visiting Miami.

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Lacerda Elevator, Salvador, Brazil -

One of the most iconic buildings in the northern Brazilian city of Salvador, this distinctive elevator hoists people from sea level to the higher points of the city. Originally inaugurated in 1873 based on a design by Antônio de Lacerda, it received a striking Art Deco makeover in 1930.

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Marine Building, Vancouver, Canada -

Inaugurated in 1930, the towering Marine Building in downtown Vancouver was the tallest structure in the city at the time. It remains a landmark on the city's skyline, and is notable for the marine-themed detailing in its Art Deco design.

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Sikka Nagar, Mumbai, India -

With a collection of Art Deco buildings that comes second only to Miami, the Oval Maidan district of Mumbai was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018. With Gothic touches, the Sikka Nagar skyscraper is one of the most notable examples of Art Deco in the city. 

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The Rock Hotel, Gibraltar -

The striking 1932 building housing the Rock Hotel is an architectural icon in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, it's one of the most celebrated Art Deco hotels in the world.

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Palais Theatre, Melbourne, Australia -

The grand Art Deco facade makes this 3,000-seater theater a landmark on the architectural landscape of St. Kilda, Melbourne. Built in 1927, it combines Moorish details with Art Deco design.

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Breakwater Hotel, Miami, USA -

Built in 1939, the Breakwater is a standout building in Miami's Art Deco district. Its sleek design is typical of the Streamline Moderne that was popular at the time.

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Taraporevala Aquarium, Mumbai, India -

Another staggering example of Art Deco grandeur in Mumbai, the Taraporevala Aquarium was built slightly later than most Art Deco masterpieces, in 1951. The leaping dolphins and other aquatic details are notable.

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Cinecittà Studios, Rome, Italy -

The Art Deco entrance to Europe's largest film studio is just one intriguing detail of this 1937 building. Founded by Benito Mussolini, it was built during the Fascist era as part of a drive to revive the Italian film industry.

Sources: (Culture Trip) (Remote Lands) (Elle Decor) (Architectural Digest)

See also: Spain's prettiest towns and villages

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