Mount View, Durban

Mount View is another fabulous Art Deco apartment block in Carlisle Street, Durban.

In this view you can see Mount View in the foreground and Berea View further back.

They look identical to me except for the colouring. Their decoration is very simple. Horizontal lines below the second and third floor windows, a row of circles connected by a line above the top windows and a central flagpole support with more horizontal lines behind that.

The view looking down Carlisle Street in the other direction highlights how good it is for Art Deco. Mount View is again in the foreground but this time we can see Vel-vet Mansions and Carlisle Castle each with different and more elaborate decoration.

Three of the four deco building in this street used to have flagpoles. I can only imagine how good it would look if they were put back.

Villa Grazia, Asmara

The Villa Quarter of Asmara is doted with fabulous residences dating from the Art Deco era.

This is the Villa Grazia which is listed in Asmara, Africa's Secret Modernist City by Denison, Yu Ren and Gebremedhin as dating from 1942 by architect Antonio Vitaliti.

Denison et al write that villas of this size were not built after the 1940s because many expats left during the federation with Ethiopia in 1952 and single storey dwellings were preferred.

To me this is a classic building as a ship complete with a rounded bow and deck railing along the side.

Reference:
Asmara: Africa's Secret Modernist City~ Edward Denison, Guang Yu Ren & Naigzy Gebremedhim

Palais de Tokyo, Paris

The Palais de Tokyo was designed by Dondel, Aubert, Viard and Dastugue for the 1937 Paris International Exhibition.

The buildings around the reflecting pool include an array of structural reliefs including the one above by Alfred Janniot and other smaller sculptures by such artists as Baudry and Marcel Gaumont.

Ranui Flats, Napier

This may not be the most picturesque view of the Ranui Flats on Marine Parade in Napier but it does clearly show the driveway in the middle of the building leading through to the parking area behind. It reminds me of much earlier buildings which often had stables or a yard out the back and therefore required a large opening like this to allow horse-drawn carriages access. Ranui Flats date from 1938 so this is a nice throw-back from the Car Age.

Paul J Rainey Memorial Gateway, Bronx Zoo

Paul Manship sculpted this wonderful array of animals on the Paul J Rainey Memorial Gateway at the Bronx Zoo in 1934.

Bears, birds, antelopes, baboons and a lion, king of the jungle, sitting atop an amazing plant sculpture between the two gates.

Three turtles site on plinths at ground level. The middle one, a favourite with visitors, it's head rubbed smooth from the many hands seeking that touch of luck. It's two companions partially hidden in the foilage so not to attract as much attention.

Manship's attention to detail can be seen on the backside of the gates.

Balmoral Hotel, Muizenberg

The seaside Cape Town suburb Muizenberg has under gone a renaissance in recently years but even six years ago the Balmoral Hotel looked pretty good.

It's deco heritage is obvious. Twin flagpoles and metal-railed balconies with curved ends. The building itself also has a curved end, probably a flat roof and a series of arches at ground level.

Christian Science Church, Fremantle

Another deco building occupied by a church.

I don't know if the Christian Science Church in Fremantle have taken over this building or whether they built it and still live there.

It is a shame that their bright white sign blocks most of the glass block window on the curved corner but I suppose even churches need to advertise and this is the view from a major highway. Pity they couldn't find a more sympathetic way to do it.

Their much more modest (in size) sign on the front of the building is much more in keeping with the overall style of the building. Perhaps this does point to the church being the original occupant.

I do like the bookshelf providing shade above this small window. The stepped supports look chunky for the weight they need to bear but they have enough style to carry it off.