Before it was famous for its midcentury commercial design, Los Angeles was already a treasure trove of elegant architecture in the Art Deco style. Products of the streamlined design aesthetic of the 1920s and New Deal building during the 1930s, many of these buildings fell into disrepair or were marred by ill-fitting façades in later years. But recently they have become the focus of intense preservation efforts, appreciated once again for their timeless charm. This glorious survey features hundreds of color photographs from across the L.A. Basin--with dazzling details from the majestic to the whimsical--that define Art Deco style. With a foreword by Bevis Hillier, the critic who coined the term Art Deco, here's a gem for Deco buffs and Los Angeles aficionados alike.