×
The term “Art Deco x93 comes from the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs held in 1925 in Paris — most popular in Nashville, and many other cities, mainly between 1925 and 1940. The architecture is defined by long, vertical lines that point upward to the sky, geometric shapes, long wavy lines, as well as floral, industrial, and sunburst patterns. Nashville’s Art Deco-inspired buildings and interiors are bright, creative, and unique structures that combine function and creativity. All are worth visiting to admire their lasting contribution to our city.
The art within the Frist Center begins in the lobby, with Nashville-based Tuck-Hinton Architects’ masterful restoration of the heavily used post office lobby. The lobby features Art Deco light fixtures, industrial motifs on cast aluminum grillwork and doors, colored marble, and stone on the floor and walls. One of the Frist’s logos was created from the original Art Deco design in the lobby.
Frist Center for the Visual Arts; former Downtown Post Office
Built in 1934 as a WPA-funded post office for Nashville, this building has been transformed into one of the leading art institutions in America. The vision of Dr. Thomas Frist, Jr., and his family took the old post office and turned it into the Frist Center for the Visual Arts. The lobby of the old post office is the most interesting Art Deco space in Nashville, and it sets the tone for the internationally recognized art on display in the galleries inside.The art within the Frist Center begins in the lobby, with Nashville-based Tuck-Hinton Architects’ masterful restoration of the heavily used post office lobby. The lobby features Art Deco light fixtures, industrial motifs on cast aluminum grillwork and doors, colored marble, and stone on the floor and walls. One of the Frist’s logos was created from the original Art Deco design in the lobby.
×
The sleek building, made of limestone, granite, aluminum, and glass features, has several Art Deco details. The large neon L&C letters on the top of the building, with horizontal lines, previously told Nashvillians the weather forecast based on the color and direction of the lines. The tall building also featured long, aluminum fins on the side of the green glass windows on the north and east side of the tower. While it’s no longer the tallest building in Nashville, the L&C Tower is still one of the most famous, and it defined the growing city of Nashville for decades.
Life & Casualty Tower
Nashville’s first skyscraper was designed by famed architect Edwin Keeble. When the building opened in 1957, it was the tallest office building in the southeast. L&C President Guilford Dudley, Jr., decided to build a tall, slim building that rose 403 feet above Church Street, instead of an 11-story wider building.The sleek building, made of limestone, granite, aluminum, and glass features, has several Art Deco details. The large neon L&C letters on the top of the building, with horizontal lines, previously told Nashvillians the weather forecast based on the color and direction of the lines. The tall building also featured long, aluminum fins on the side of the green glass windows on the north and east side of the tower. While it’s no longer the tallest building in Nashville, the L&C Tower is still one of the most famous, and it defined the growing city of Nashville for decades.
×
Famed New York mural artist Dean Cornwell designed and painted the murals in the lobby. The 15-by-eight-foot pieces depict industrial, agriculture, commerce, and statesmanship images. Industry is illustrated using a blacksmith over an anvil with a cannon and plowshare on the mural; agriculture is represented by a woman holding grain and scythe; President Andrew Jackson is shown on the statesmanship image; and a young woman is holding a steamboat under her arm with a railroad engine at her feet, representing commerce.
Historic Metro Courthouse Murals
The Works Progress Administration-funded Nashville and Davidson County Courthouse was a joint project between city and county government decades before there was a Metro government. The WPA-financed courthouse originally contained the mayor’s office, city council chambers, courtrooms, clerk’s office, and the city jail. The most striking feature of this Great Depression-era building are the two-story murals in the lobby.Famed New York mural artist Dean Cornwell designed and painted the murals in the lobby. The 15-by-eight-foot pieces depict industrial, agriculture, commerce, and statesmanship images. Industry is illustrated using a blacksmith over an anvil with a cannon and plowshare on the mural; agriculture is represented by a woman holding grain and scythe; President Andrew Jackson is shown on the statesmanship image; and a young woman is holding a steamboat under her arm with a railroad engine at her feet, representing commerce.
×
Aaron Douglas Murals, Cravath Memorial Library at Fisk University
On the second floor of this soaring gothic building in the center of Fisk University’s campus are the most famous murals in Nashville. Harlem Renaissance artist Aaron Douglas painted the murals in the newly opened library at Fisk University in 1930 with figures featured in bold silhouettes in the foreground highlighting poetry, music, drama, and science. The images are depicted using industrial buildings, sunbeams, and varying levels of curved light in muted tones of green, purple, and black. They inspired generations of students and future leaders as they studied in the library at Fisk. The building is now used as the administration building on campus but still has card catalog drawers next to the murals. ×
The building, now home to the Tinney Contemporary art gallery and lofts on the upper floors, was used for decades as the popular Kress drugstore. Nashville’s history-making, non-violent lunch counter sit-in movement took place here during the early ’60s.
Kress 5 & 10
The Kress building on 5th Avenue is a striking ivory-faced building on a block that includes many traditional brick Victorian and early 20th century buildings. The Kress building combines many famous Art Deco features, including tall, narrow windows; bold brass letters that spell “Kress x93 on the front; vivid terra cotta design around the windows; and the use of characters from Greek mythology, including Apollo to the right of the sign.The building, now home to the Tinney Contemporary art gallery and lofts on the upper floors, was used for decades as the popular Kress drugstore. Nashville’s history-making, non-violent lunch counter sit-in movement took place here during the early ’60s.
×
Hermitage Hotel Men’s Bathroom
The men’s bathroom on the lower level of Nashville’s oldest and most famous hotel, The Hermitage Hotel, is a must-see for tourists and locals alike. The beautifully preserved 1939 bathroom was voted Best Bathroom in America and features polished lime green- and black-leaded glass-striped tile on the walls, bright jade green sinks and toilets, and a stunning terrazzo floor. The sign on the outside inviting women to also enter and take a view of one of the most interesting rooms in Nashville says music videos and legislative deals have been made in this iconic restroom. ×
Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Magnet School; former Pearl High School
The previous Pearl High School building was designed by McKissack & McKissack, the oldest African American architectural firm in America, which was founded in Nashville. The building, located in North Nashville, opened in 1936, and the exterior features Art Deco-style lettering, aluminum window designs, long and narrow windows, and a clock near the roof. Today, the building continues as a place of learning—but now is called Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Magnet School—and is still educating some of the brightest students in Nashville.By David Ewing, LEED AP BD+C ; CEO of Nashville History on Tour