Editing Art Deco Architecture (section)

== Legacy ==

Art Deco's popularity waned during the late 1930s as economic depression and approaching war shifted priorities from stylistic expression to functional efficiency. The International Style, with its rejection of ornament and emphasis on structure, displaced Art Deco in architectural discourse though not immediately in practice. Art Deco buildings continued to serve their purposes, their solidly constructed forms accommodating decades of use while their ornament survived varying degrees of appreciation and neglect.<ref name="tatum"/>

Preservation movements recognized Art Deco's significance during the late twentieth century, leading to documentation, protection, and restoration of significant buildings. The PSFS Building's conversion to hotel use preserved its architectural character while finding economically viable function. Other Art Deco buildings have received similar attention, their geometric ornament and streamlined forms appreciated as irreplaceable expressions of their era. Art Deco's association with glamour, optimism, and modernistic sophistication continues to attract appreciation, making its buildings valued components of Philadelphia's architectural heritage.<ref name="gebhard"/>