Ancient Meets Modern in Manhattan Home

Hussein Omar’s Manhattan apartment, located in the iconic Art Deco building London Terrace, is a unique blend of antiquity and modernity. After spending time with him, it becomes clear that death plays a significant role in his life and decorating choices.

Omar first came to attention in 2024 when he wrote a story about The City of the Dead, a famous cemetery in Cairo that has been the final resting place for generations of Egyptians, including his mother and ancestors.

From Ireland to Manhattan

Omar and his son, Ismael, moved to Manhattan in 2023 after living in Ireland, where Omar was a lecturer on modern global history at University College Dublin. They initially took temporary accommodation in London Terrace before finding a permanent home.

Omar admits that when he first walked into the apartment, he was shocked by its condition. However, he saw an opportunity to create something unique and decided to take on the challenge.

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As a collector, Omar comes from a long line of antiquaries and has a deep understanding of the joys and sorrows of collecting. His maternal grandparents were active in the market for art, antiques, and books, and his mother’s father had one of the largest private libraries in the Middle East.

A Family Legacy

In 1983, the Egyptian government enacted a law making it illegal to own anything over 100 years old. Owners were given six months to turn their pieces over to the authorities, and Omar’s family was affected by this law. His grandfather handed over his collection, but his uncle decided to hide his treasures, which were later discovered in seven slum flats.

Omar’s family inherited these treasures, but they were later stolen. This experience had a significant impact on Omar, who later began to form his own collection with the help of two important mentors: a cousin and an art dealer named Hisham Mehrez.

Creating a Home

After securing his new home, Omar needed to figure out how to furnish it.

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A Reflection of Life and Death

Since Omar first put the apartment together, a collection of items has accumulated in the entrance hall. Omar is conscious that it’s getting crowded, but he’s never going to stop acquiring. He gestures to a nearby tombstone and an Egyptian wooden Ba bird, saying, “Life, particularly here, is so divorced from the dead. I actually like to be in close proximity to reminders of death.”

Omar’s apartment is a reflection of his unique perspective on life and death. It’s a space where antiquity meets modernity, and where the past and present coexist. As he continues to collect and acquire new pieces, his apartment will remain a reflection of his passion for the ancient world and his connection to his family’s history.

It is a space that honors his heritage.