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The writing on the wall: Somerset House has sat empty for nearly six years as a convoluted battle between the building’s owner and the city winds its way through the courts. Photo by David Kawai.
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Glory days: Edgar Mitchell (left) remembers when Somerset House thrived. The fourth generation of Mitchells to own the building, he sold to Tony Shahrasebi (right) in 2005 after the city’s smoking ban decimated business. In 2007, Shahrasebi launched the ill-fated renovation that would have restored the building to its former glory. Photo by David Kawai.
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Open house: After the 2007 wall collapse, the city demolished the southeast corner of the building, as well as the entire fourth floor, to allow its inspectors complete access to assess the building’s stability. Shahrasebi has since filed a lawsuit against the city, seeking damages for the demolition. Meanwhile, the reno is in limbo. Photo by David Kawai.
