INTRODUCTION TO PERIOD STYLES: During the late 1800s, European-trained architects designed highstyle period houses for the wealthy. Each period style identifies specifically with an architecture of an earlier period and place: either early American or European precedents. Six popular period styles that diffused across the country are included on these web sites, though other, less popular period styles also appeared. During this time (mostly between 1900 and 1929), accuracy of styles became important once again, unlike Queen Anne style, which borrowed from a variety of sources. Most Important, period styles look to the past for inspiration. The trend toward period architecture gained momentum from the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, the Columbian Exposition, where historical interpretations of European styles were encouraged. Simultaneous to the rise of period-style architecture, the modern era saw its beginnings with architects who were instead looking to the future, not the past, with more progressive, modernist styles. Thus defines the eclectic movement of the early 20th century, which consisted of a simultaneous and perhaps competing interest in both modern and historic architectural traditions.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND FEATURES:
Usually identified with a low-pitched, hipped roof, often with ceramic tiles and sometimes flat, hinting at its Mediterranean source region; wide, overhanging eaves with large brackets under the roofline; arched doors and windows, primarily on the first floor; Italian-style entryway, often with classical columns; facade usually symmetrical, but occasionally found in asymmetrical or picturesque floor plans. Eave brackets are typically rare on Spanish Revival and Mission-style buildings, thus making them a distinguishing feature of the Italian Renaissance period style. Interestingly, this period style tends to mimic its Italian counterparts more accurately than did the 19th-century Italianate style. Certain sources seem to refer to this style as Renaissance Revival, which seems to be interchangable with Italian Renaissance. For instance, Photo #20 below, the Boston Public Library.

PHOTO LOCATIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS (based on info available)

1. Cocoa Beach, FL. Looks like the old theater building in the main-street historic district.
2. Las Vegas, NM. Commercial building, c.1920s, with Italianate windows and tile roof, with a hint of art deco in the vertical fluting on the ends.
3. St. Louis, MO. An American Foursquare home (see Prairie/Foursquare link at left). The Italian Renaissance features include wide overhanging eaves, huge decorative brackets, boxy, two-story symmetrical plan, and tile roof. Could also be interpreted as Craftsman style, though the tile roof seems to "push" it into the Italian Renaissance category. In any case, a good example of a home that adopts multiple styles.
4. St. Louis, MO. A rare, asymmetrical floor plan.
5. St. Louis, MO.
6. Beverly Hills, CA. Hotel.
7. Beverly Hills, CA. Same hotel.
8. Savannah, GA. c.1916-1919. Armstrong Mansion.
9. Savannah, GA. Ardsley Park.
10. Savannah, GA. Ardsley Park.
11. Chicago, IL. c.1897. Chicago Public Library (until 1974). On Michigan Ave.
12. Chicago, IL. Michigan Ave.
13-14. Long Beach, CA.
15. Venice Beach, CA.
16-17. San Francisco, CA. Nob Hill.
18. Pasadena, CA.
19. Hollywood, CA. Hollywood Blvd.
20. Boston, MA. Boston Public Library, c.1887-1895. McKim, Mead & White, architects, known for producing numerous fine examples of Beaux-Arts architecture throughout the United States (see Great Buildings Web site for more info about this library and the architects.)
21. Boston, MA. Italian Renaissance entryway, arch over entry, ashlar stone appearance, and massive quoins on the building corners.
22. Boston, MA. Copley Plaza Hotel, c.1912. Also considered a representative of the Beaux Arts style (see link at left), which has similar origins to Italian Renaissance architecture.
23-28. San Antonio, TX. Mansions or large homes with excellent features of the style.
29. San Antonio, TX. Downtown hotel building, with excellent example of double-inset arched windows representing a common variation of the style.