Eric Watson, a native of upstate, New York, completed undergraduate architectural training at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1984. He received a Master of Architecture degree from the Yale School of Architecture in 1988 where he was introduced to the New Urbanism movement in a 1987 design studio taught by Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk.

Watson began his professional career in New York City designing traditional residential projects in the office of Johnson and Wanzenberg. To combine his interest in traditional architecture and the New Urbanism movement, Watson worked in the office of Scott Merrill and was involved with the design of many of the first houses in Windsor, a resort village designed by Duany Plater-Zyberk and located in Indian River County, Florida. In 1992 , Watson established his professional practice in Seaside and in 1995 relocated his practice to Tampa, Florida.  Over a 15 year period, Watson has designed over eighty houses and buildings in the New Urbanist resort towns of Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, WaterColor, and WaterSound. He is a frequent participant in DPZ and New Urban Guild design charrettes.

Watson has been published in books, magazines, newspapers, journals, and has lectured on his work. He is a 2004 Palladio Award recipient and is a two-time recipient of the Southern Home Award from the editors of Southern Living magazine.

Watson is a member of the Institute of Classical Architecture, Congress for The New Urbanism, American Institute of Architects, The New Urban Guild, The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and is a registered architect in Florida, New York, and Texas.