The best of both worlds in more ways than one, this castle-based house blends subterranean and loft living as well as modern and historic architecture.

Redesigned by De Matos Ryan (with photos by Edmund Sumner), it is somewhat amazing that the tower portion was left to weather, age and even burn for so long before someone adopted it as part of a new architectural project.

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A main entry, master bedroom and bathroom were retrofitted into the old stone pillar portion, leading up to a rooftop deck with naturally 360-degree views-in-the-round. Below, additional living, dining and kitchen spaces lead out to a semi-sunken terrace and pool that provide horizontal contrast to the vertical tower – all illuminated via round skylights that echo said tower’s shape.