Art Deco architecture and the development of the modern skyscraper were closely related. During the 1920s and 1930s, Art Deco became popular as a style of architecture characterized by geometric shapes, bold colors, and ornamental details. This style of architecture was ideal for the skyscraper, as the geometric shapes and ornamental details could be applied to the façade of the building to give it a decorative, modern look. The use of steel allowed the construction of taller, more slender buildings, and the Art Deco style emphasized the vertical lines of the skyscraper. As a result, many early skyscrapers, such as the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building in New York, were built in the Art Deco style. Art Deco thus became synonymous with the modern skyscraper, and remains an iconic symbol of the early 20th century urban landscape.
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