The Art Deco History and Architecture of the Penguin Resort

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The Penguin Hotel, designed by Henry Hohauser, is an example of 1940s Late Art Deco Style, which suggests the upcoming International Style of the fifties and sixties. Horizontality is prominent in this building with overhanging strip windows and a horizontal railing in the Front Porch.

The building was designed and built in 1948. The original name of the building was The Golden Dawn Hotel.

A twin brother of the Penguin Hotel building still exists on Ocean Drive and 8th Street: the current Pelican Hotel. Unlike the Penguin Hotel, however, The Pelican Hotel has been substantially altered during renovation.

The President Hotel, designed by L. Murray Dixon, is an elegant example of 1930s Classic Art Deco with recessed corners, framed windows, horizontal banding, decorative wrought iron railings, and patterned terrazzo floors.

The President Hotel building was designed in 1936 and built in 1937. It was converted to efficiency apartments during World War II and it was abandoned for many years in the 1980s and 1990s.

The original features of the building including floors, murals, period furniture
and ironwork have been restored to their original splendor.  A fourth floor penthouse addition was added in the 1997 renovation.

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Copyright 2001 The Penguin Resort
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