The Bacardi Building is one of Havana’s principal landmarks, standing on the western edge of the city’s historical center. Its architect originally won the international competition for its construction with a Neo-Renaissance proposal, but after visiting the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris he completely reworked his design into an extravaganza of Art Deco style. The facade of the twelve-story building is lavishly decorated with red Bavarian granite. The upper part of the building is faced with glazed terra-cotta reliefs of geometric patterns, flowers and female nudes. Photo by: Almonddew

Its sumptuous interior details include blue mirrors, stucco reliefs, brushed and polished brass, murals, mahogany and cedar paneling, stained and acid-etched glass, marquetry, gold leaf, and pink, pale green and black marble from Germany, Sweden, Norway, Italy and many more. The lamps and other fittings throughout are superb examples of Art Deco style. The restoration of the Edificio Bacardi by the Office of the City Historian of Havana was completed in 2003. Photo by: jasonrisley