Googie Architecture

The Riviera Hotel, 9100 E. Colfax Ave., in Aurora boasts the Googie style.

By Christina Villa--Googie is an exaggerated architectural style which originated in Los Angeles in the 1940s in order to catch the attention of people passing by and to bring in business. The architectural concept focuses on futuristic elements, including up-swept and angled roofs, geometric shapes, boomerangs, flying saucers, atoms and parabolas. Other design tactics, like the use of glass, steel and neon are also part of the Googie style.

      Colfax Avenue features many fine examples of the architectural style that thrived during the 1950s. See if you can spot your own Googie masterpiece on Colfax, send us the picture and we'll post it here with your name on it!