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Somerset House Transformed: Alan Eckstein Marries Historic Charm with Modern Luxury

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  Published in House and Home on Wednesday, November 19th 2025 at 11:05 GMT by The New York Times

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Somerset House: Alan Eckstein’s Vision for a Modern New‑York Legacy

The New York Times’ feature on Somerset House, written by fashion and design correspondent Maya Patel, offers a rich portrait of one of the city’s most intriguing residential transformations. At its heart is Alan Eckstein—an interior designer and architect whose name has begun to appear on the list of up‑and‑coming New York design talent. The article traces the history of the house, Eckstein’s creative philosophy, and the project’s larger implications for sustainable luxury living in Manhattan.

1. A Historical Anchor

Somerset House is a sprawling 7,500‑square‑foot townhouse on the Upper West Side that dates back to 1904. Originally built as a private residence for a prominent industrialist, the building’s design reflects the late‑Victorian, Romanesque aesthetic that was fashionable among New York’s elite in the early 20th century. For nearly a century, the house was a silent witness to the ebb and flow of the city’s social scene, with its grand foyer, marble stairwell, and ornate plasterwork still visible today.

The article opens by noting that the original owners, the Somerset family, sold the property in the 1970s, after which it changed hands several times. The most recent owner, philanthropist and former Broadway producer Laura Bennett, acquired the house in 2019 with the intention of converting it into a “living museum” for her collection of modern and contemporary art. However, Bennett’s vision for a fully functional home required an architect who could respect the building’s historic bones while injecting modern amenities.

2. Eckstein’s Design Philosophy

Alan Eckstein’s portfolio is largely unknown outside a tight circle of clients, yet the article points readers to an interview in Architectural Digest (link embedded in the Times piece) where Eckstein discusses his love for “transitional design” that balances old-world craftsmanship with new‑age technology. He explains that his approach for Somerset House was to let the building “speak for itself” by highlighting its original details rather than masking them with a heavy hand.

Eckstein is quoted as saying, “The house has an incredible sense of place. My job was to give it a new voice while staying true to its story.” This ethos guided every design choice—from the careful restoration of the original wood paneling to the selection of modern fixtures that echo the building’s historic scale.

3. The Transformation in Detail

A. Open‑Plan Living

One of the most striking changes is the new open‑plan living area that spans the first two floors. The heavy, original wood floors remain, but they are now complemented by glass panels that slide away to reveal the lush courtyard and a meticulously landscaped balcony that faces a quiet garden below. The article details how the sliding glass walls were engineered to provide full insulation, maintaining the house’s historic energy efficiency while offering panoramic views.

B. Sustainable Materials

Eckstein’s commitment to sustainability is evident in his material choices. The floorboards are reclaimed from a nearby historic theater, while the kitchen countertops are made from recycled glass and granite. The Times piece also links to a separate story on The Verge about “green building materials for luxury homes,” underscoring how the project aligns with broader industry trends.

C. Smart Home Integration

Bennett, who is tech‑savvy and heavily involved in the arts, requested a “state‑of‑the‑art” smart home system that could seamlessly control lighting, climate, and security. The article explains that Eckstein partnered with a New York‑based tech firm to install a fully integrated system that operates through both voice and a custom mobile app. An added touch is a kinetic sculpture in the foyer that responds to ambient light, adding an interactive layer to the entryway.

D. Art Gallery Space

Bennett’s passion for art is highlighted in the creation of a dedicated gallery space on the third floor. The gallery is a light‑filled room with minimalistic wall finishes, allowing the artwork to remain the focal point. Eckstein worked closely with Bennett to curate the space’s layout, ensuring that each piece could be displayed without overpowering the room’s architectural features.

4. Behind the Scenes: Challenges and Collaborations

The article offers an inside look at the logistical hurdles the team faced. The house’s structural integrity was compromised by decades of neglect, necessitating extensive reinforcement work before any new design could be installed. Eckstein, along with a structural engineer, implemented a discreet steel framework that preserved the original window frames while ensuring compliance with modern safety standards.

A key part of the narrative is the relationship between Eckstein and Bennett. The Times piece quotes Bennett as saying, “Alan’s sensitivity to the house’s past was the first thing that drew me to work with him.” Their collaborative process, which the article describes as “dialogue‑driven,” allowed for a design that feels both personal and universally appealing.

5. The Bigger Picture: Design Trends and Cultural Significance

By weaving together links to Architectural Digest, The Verge, and The New York Review of Books (the Times article references a book about adaptive reuse in historic structures), the piece places Somerset House in a broader cultural context. It posits the renovation as a case study for how historic homes can be repurposed to meet contemporary lifestyle demands without sacrificing heritage. The article cites recent statistics on the increasing value of “adaptive reuse” projects in New York’s real‑estate market, noting that such properties are now seen as a “safe, sustainable investment.”

6. Conclusion: A Living Legacy

Maya Patel concludes the article with a reflection on how Somerset House, under Eckstein’s stewardship, stands as a testament to the evolving relationship between past and present. “Somerset House is no longer just a relic of the early 1900s; it’s a living, breathing space that honors its origins while looking boldly forward,” Patel writes. The piece closes by reminding readers that the heart of the house is not merely its physical form but the stories that it continues to host, both those of its original owners and those of the new generation that now calls it home.

7. Links Worth Exploring

• Architectural Digest interview with Alan Eckstein – Offers deeper insight into his design methodology.
• The Verge article on green materials – Provides context on sustainable choices for luxury homes.
• New York Review of Books piece on adaptive reuse – Explores the broader architectural movement that Somerset House embodies.

In sum, the New York Times article on Somerset House is a layered narrative that not only celebrates a particular architectural project but also invites readers to contemplate the larger conversations around sustainability, heritage, and modern luxury living in New York.