City rebuilt after massive Earthquake 0n Feb 3rd 1931. by leefree
But by early 1933, in a short period of time 2yrs, the town was reborn into the world’s newest and most modern city at the time. Not even the great depression of the thirties stopped them. Art Deco, the style that epitomises the Jazz Age, when the optimism and confidence of the early 20th century was at its height. It has been said that "Napier buildings create a tapestry in which all the threads of the modern movement are woven together.
“Napier represents the most complete and significant group of Art Deco buildings in the world, and is a comparable with Bath as an example of a planned townscape in a cohesive style. Napier is without a doubt unique”
Sir Neil Cossons OBE/ past president, British Museums Association
