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Napier - Art Deco Architecture

Art Deco Architecture, Napier - click for more.
The Rothmans Building is a fine example of Napier's world famous Art Deco architecture.
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A national disaster resulted in Napier becoming one of the purest Art Deco cities in the world. On the morning of February 3rd 1931 a massive earthquake - 7.9 on the Richter scale - rocked Hawke's Bay for more than three minutes. Nearly 260 lives were lost and the vast majority of buildings in the commercial centre of Napier were destroyed, either by the quake itself or the fires that followed.

Rebuilding began almost immediately, and much of it was completed in two years. New buildings reflected the architectural styles of the times - Stripped Classical, Spanish Mission and Art Deco. Local architect Louis Hay, an admirer of the great Frank Lloyd Wright, had his chance to shine; Maori motifs were employed to give the city a unique New Zealand character (for example, the ASB bank on the corner of Hastings and Emerson Streets features koru and zigzags similar to those used in Maori weaving designs).

Napier's city centre has the feeling of a time capsule - the seamless line of 1930s architecture is quite extraordinary. The best way to enjoy the streetscape is on a self-guided walk - ask for a map at the information centre.
 


 
HAWKES BAY Region


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