July 11, 2017
When many people think of Myrtle Beach, they immediately think of great golf or fun summer activities. But this city’s identity is also firmly rooted in architecture and design.
Grand Strand vacationers have numerous modern, luxurious resorts to choose from, but in our opinion, none can compare to the splendor of the Ocean Forest Hotel. Designed by Raymond Hood, the architect behind New York’s iconic Rockefeller Center, this lavish resort — think marble columns, crystal chandeliers and lavish ballrooms — opened in 1930 and gave guests the royal treatment until its demolition in the 1970s.
And while every beach town has souvenir shops, the Gay Dolphin Gift Cove is truly one of a kind. Opened in 1946, this Ocean Boulevard landmark is full of mid-century styling. A constant reminder to keep designs fun and playful, the coastal-inspired structure features castle-like parapets, vibrant colors and a towering glass centerpiece resembling a lighthouse.
Architecture in Myrtle Beach is also still going strong today, as best evidenced by the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. The front of the building, with its off-white exterior adorned with large, slanted windows made to look like ocean waves, is reminiscent of the sand and clear blue waters of the Atlantic.
Just like the waves reshape the shoreline over time, the look and feel of the Grand Strand has evolved throughout its rich history. We at e3-studio are excited to help usher in the next era by bringing inviting and cutting-edge spaces to life.