Art Deco architecture played a significant role in the development of the modern department store. Art Deco design elements, such as geometric patterns, streamlined shapes, and the use of luxurious materials like glass, chrome, and marble, were used to create grand, opulent buildings that attracted shoppers. The style was also associated with progress and modernity, reflecting the aspirations of a society that was rapidly industrializing and urbanizing. The first Art Deco department store was the Maison Lipmann in Brussels, which opened in 1924 and featured a decorative motif of stylized wings, a theme that was replicated in other Art Deco stores. The popularity of Art Deco architecture among department stores continued during the 1930s, with iconic buildings like the Art Deco-inspired Macy's flagship store in New York City and the streamlined Moderne design of the Sears, Roebuck and Company mail-order facility in Chicago. Art Deco architecture helped to create a new style of retail experience, one that emphasized glamour, luxury, and modernity.
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