S. H. Kress & Co., Sarasota, FL

This beautiful Kress building is a well-known landmark in downtown Sarasota, Florida. It is on the National Registry. There is already ample information available about this architectural eye candy, so I will direct readers there:

http://www.sarasotahistoryalive.com/markers-and-designations/historic-designation/the-kress-building/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._H._Kress_and_Co._Building_(Sarasota,_Florida)

Frist TN Community Art Gallery, formerly Nashville Main Post Office

The former Nashville Main Post Office is an absolute gem of a building, fortunately preserved, and now utilized as the TN Community Art Gallery. Information about the building can be found on the Frist website, along with some virtual tours:

http://fristcenter.org/about/the-building

Both the exterior and interior of the building are a treasure trove of design features. I was informed that it barely escaped the wrecking ball!!! Enjoy:

S.H. Kress & Co., Brunswick, GA

While the Kress '5 and dime' stores have long since gone out of business, the company has left a wonderful legacy of top class architectural treats. This one (1505 Newcastle Street) is in the historical district of Brunswick in Georgia, photographed on a Sunday when the town is virtually deserted. The beautiful tiled facing of the front of the building highlights the few metal-framed windows and the lovely store sign, which is framed in metal bearing the lines familiar to lovers of Art Deco.

Cafe Imperial, Porto

There are multiple architectural reasons why Porto is worth visiting - too many to mention actually. But on the list and near the top is the Cafe Imperial in Liberdade Square. The only downside for me is that it is now a McDonald's, with the gold McDonalds sign positioned in front of the original 'Imperial' with its impressive eagle. Corporate global imperialism or what!? As long as McDonalds doesn't mess up the building, though - that's the important thing. It would be nice if it was just a coffee shop - being a vegetarian I don't exactly feel comfortable going inside, but the gorgeous art deco stained glass was certainly worth poking my head through the door. The building's exterior has some beautiful features, most notably for me the door and the windows, which all need some renovation but look basically sound.