By Adriana Ermter
Photography by Valerie Wilcox
When it comes to incredibly high-end spaces in the Greater Toronto Area and the superbly talented people who design them, there’s one particularly extraordinary design duo that always seems to come to mind. Robin Nadel and Harvey Wise, the principals of the eponymous interior design company Wise Nadel Design Inc., are one of the city’s most renowned and esteemed firms. Nadel and Wise have proven two is stronger than one. Perhaps it’s the pair’s combined 40 years of architecture and interior design experience, or maybe it’s their shared appreciation of classic elegance, contemporary art or their high regard for architectural details. Both successful design professionals in their own right, after they merged in January 2018, they’ve been an absolute force. The list of luxury homes, condominiums, and businesses they’ve designed is truly remarkable “We genuinely support each other,” says Nadel of the pair’s symbiotic connection. “We have such a long history together, even before we merged our companies.
“From the moment we met in 2001, there was an instant compatibility and mutual respect. Five years in, it was time to collaborate and design a new space for us, our team, and our clients. It’s been really meaningful.” The space Nadel speaks of is Wise Nadel Design Inc.’s studio at 186 Dupont Street in Toronto’s design district. It’s not a new locale — Wise occupied the building’s second floor for 15 years and purchased the Victorian building in 2012. When the duo merged, change was imminent and welcome.
With the support of Kilbarry Hill Construction Ltd., the 1,800-square-foot gut renovation to the building’s main floor was a year-long project that recently wrapped. (The studio on the second floor, also 1,800 square feet, received comfortably chic new carpets and a fresh coat of paint.) Wise, Nadel, and their team of 15 look forward to working with clients out of their renovated space — a place that brims with inspiration. “When I first moved in, the upstairs area was tight and, aesthetically, it reflected more Harvey than me,” says Nadel, who was often working in her home office. “The idea behind the renovation was to represent our brand and connect us as a unified, cohesive firm made up of two individual principals. We still have our own styles, but our aesthetic has naturally merged, and that’s been lovely to witness.”
THE IDEA BEHIND THE RENOVATION WAS TO REPRESENT OUR BRAND AND CONNECT US AS A UNIFIED, COHESIVE FIRM MADE UP OF TWO INDIVIDUAL PRINCIPALS. WE STILL HAVE OUR OWN STYLES, BUT OUR AESTHETIC HAS NATURALLY MERGED, AND THAT’S BEEN LOVELY TO WITNESS.
Neither Wise nor Nadel’s style dominates their new interior; instead, there’s a cool contemporary vibe that speaks to both designers. An open and bright reception area welcomes their clients. Large arched windows, warm millwork, and lighting with a greige palette and black accents reign. Some of the most impressive features are the gallery walls, with a stunning collection of original abstract expressionist works of art — all courtesy of a partnership with Fischtein Fine Art. “The work spans from the ’80s to today,” says Nadel, adding the art collections will periodically change. “It is colorful, textural, and adds another layer of interest to the office. It has truly enhanced our day-to-day and has given us all a new appreciation of how art can inspire and prompt creativity.”
The main floor focuses on receiving clients and building on that creativity, while the studio upstairs is more functional and buzzes with designers working on some of the city’s most impressive projects. There’s also a private boardroom with high-tech capabilities that accommodate virtual meetings with clients from afar, as well as in-person presentations around an elegant custom stone table that seats 12. For convenience, there’s a show stopping powder room and a well-appointed kitchenette. An expansive library houses the firm’s plethora of fabric, paint, wallpaper, stone, lighting, and other samples. “I get excited when I see one of our designers in the library pulling together a scheme,” enthuses Wise. “Having myriad areas in the building frees up so much space to spread out and be more creative.”
This transformation of their building and company is, after all, symbolic of the designers’ evolution and growth, and the elevation of their brand. “We’ve upped the ante,” says Wise. “We wanted more of a commitment and connection with each other. This renovation has accomplished that.” And now, after five successful years, he and Nadel are poised for more incredible growth, and they’re looking ahead with enhanced motivation and passion. “Our own creativity and daily enjoyment have increased so much,” adds Nadel. “We are so present, and we present as one.”
