Wanna show you very good piece of architecture - a finalist of this year's competition (category new and old) - Shopping Center Renoma in Wroclaw (link)
Renoma Department Store (at first called Wertheim) was built in 1930 by Wertheim Family, and was a part of large department store chain (Renoma is the last existing part). The author of the project was german architect Hermann Dernburg. He designed seven-floor building in modernist style, with rounded edges and big windows.
Renoma - old part after revitalization (in XXI century)
Facade with ceramic cornices, head sculptures, fleurons and 22 flagpoles (on 6th floor) was very decorative.
But history wasn't gentle for Wertheim Family. In 1937 nazi's took company (and gave it to AWAG). In March 1945 building was shelled (as whole city) and stood in flames during a few days.