Art Deco: In Mackay
Your personal guide to the architectural heritage of our Sugar City
Art Deco: In Mackay
Your personal guide to the architectural heritage of our Sugar City
The Architecture
Discover the Art Deco and Modernist Architecture of Mackay and surrounds.
A Timeline
A detailed timeline of Mackay’s Art Deco history.
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The People
The architects, the businesses and the local community of Mackay in 1920 – 1950.
Local stories from local Mackay residents
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What is Art Deco?
Art Deco is an art style which was popular throughout the world from the 1920s until the 1940s and was derived from the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs Industriels et Modernes, held in Paris as a celebration of the modern world.
The style influenced the form and detail of buildings, furniture, household goods and jewellery. It bought a sense of luxury, fun and escapism to the world during some of the hardest times.
The Art Deco style was not limited to a particular type of buildings, it was used for picture theatres, shops and hotels.
Interested in cherishing and preserving Mackay’s Art Deco and Modernism history?
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The Latest News
Michelmore and More
Written by Vicky Bowden of the Sugar City Art Deco and Modernism Society | Published May 2022 Numerous Mackay families made their commercial mark on our regional town, many trading successfully for many decades. As Mackay grew post-first world war (and post...
Heritage Fun Day at Let the Children Play | 28 May 2022
The Sugar City Art Deco & Modernism Society have partnered with renowned Mackay toyshop, Let the Children Play, for their 2022 Heritage Fun Day. Bring the family and join us on Saturday 28th May 2022 from 9.30am - 3pm. Children of all ages can enjoy free...
Sugar meets Construction – the (old) McDonalds of Mackay
Written by Vicky Bowden of the Sugar City Art Deco and Modernism Society | Published April 2022 Whilst the Guthrie brothers were responsible for the erection of many of Mackay’s well-loved Art Deco landmarks, another family – the McDonalds – built many other...
Ambassador Hotel – Style Risen from the Ashes
Written by Vicky Bowden of the Sugar City Art Deco and Modernism Society | Published September 2021 Behind Mackay’s Art Deco facade hide many stories of the people who designed, built, owned, lived and worked in these buildings over the span of close to 100 years....