In the mid-1920s, New York adopted the Art Deco style, which originated in Paris with the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, from which it takes its name. This style, characterized by geometric shapes, luxurious materials, and bold ornamentation, became prominent in the city's architecture, particularly in its iconic skyscrapers.
The style broke with many traditional architectural conventions and was characterized by verticality, ornamentation, and building materials such as plastic, metal, and terracotta. Art Deco is found in government buildings, commercial projects, and residential buildings, theaters, throughout the five boroughs. The architecture of the period was influenced by global trends in the decorative arts, the rise of mechanization, and the New York City Planning Resolution of 1916, which favored the setback of many buildings. New York City's famous skyscrapers emerged during this era: the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, and the Waldorf-Astoria, 70 Pine Street, and One Wall Street. They were linked by a growing symbolism that affirmed the buildings' unique identity as New York.