Modern design and architecture trends and styles are a major influence on the products that Laurence Grigorov as director of a high-end and luxury property development company based in South Africa, develop and market. Even though, Laurence Grigorov is an admirer of more contemporary styles he appreciates and understands the importance of more classical styles and designs.

1. 6 Amazing Examples of Art Deco Buildings
Modern design and architecture trends and styles are a major influence on the products that
Laurence Grigorov as director of a high-end and luxury property development company based in
South Africa, develop and market. Even though, Laurence Grigorov is an admirer of more
contemporary styles he appreciates and understands the importance of more classical styles and
designs.
Laurence Grigorov enjoys being exposed to different styles and values the influence that Art Deco
buildings have had on modern architecture. Below are 10 amazing examples of Art Deco buildings
that were presented in an article written by Arnold Schwartsman Laurence Grigorov found on
www.designcurial.com
Bullocks Wilshire, Department Store, Los Angeles
Built in 1929, Bullocks is a former department store – now a law school – that is situated in Los
Angeles. Designed in collaboration with his son Donald, architect Lancashire born John Parkinson
was responsible for the design of much of Los Angeles’ iconic structures of the 1920 and 30s,
including Los Angeles City Hall, Union Station, and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

2. After paying a visit to the 1925 Paris Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels,
John Parkinson decided to scrap his original designs for the department store, replacing them with
what I consider to be one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture universally.
Academy Theatre, Inglewood
There is an abundance of numerous Art Deco cinemas in the Los Angeles area, and would
suggest the 1938 Academy Theatre, Inglewood, as being among the finest. Originally planned as
the home of the Academy Awards, the Theatre is now a church. It was designed by Charles Lee,
who was responsible for the design of so many other local cinemas including the 1942 Alex
Theatre, Glendale, and the 1937 Fox Bruin Theatre, Westwood.

3. Eden Theatro, Lisbon
Situated in Portugal, is the 1931 “Eden” cinema/theatre building, which has now been converted
into an apartment and hotel. Designed by architects Cassiano Branco and Carlo Florencio Dias,
the building’s stone frieze facade is ornamented with a series of tableaus depicting actors
performing before a film crew and camera.

4. The Daily Express Building, London
London brings a rush of possibilities to mind, among which is the black vitrolite glass façade of
Lord Beaverbrook’s’ 1930-32 Fleet Street newspaper headquarters. Designed by architects Sir
Owen Williams with Ellis and Clarke, the building’s main lobby’s east and west walls sport two
gilded murals, “Great Britain” and “The Empire”, by sculptor Eric Aumonier. The wavy blue floor
pattern represents the ocean between the two localities.

5. The Hoover Factory Building, Perivale
Architects Wallis Gilbert and Partners designed this unique building, which was built from 1931-
1935 as a vacuum cleaner factory. Today, the building functions as a supermarket. The building’s
location was specifically chosen for its access to the Great Western Railway and docks, to make
the distribution of Hoover vacuum cleaners easier. The exterior of the Hoover Factory Building is
constructed using “Snowcrete” (a white concrete that stays white in spite of the British weather),
and is decorated with Egyptian inspired faience ceramic tiles.

6. Barkers Department Store, London
Now a fashion store complex, this 1937-38 Portland stone and glass department store displays a
most impressive block tower frontage. It was designed by architect Bernard George, and is
decorated with an array of intaglio sculpted household goods that the store would originally have
had on offer.