New City Design Group, an architectural firm based in Raleigh, N.C., has merged with The HFW Companies’ INVISION brand, officially joining as an INVISION Studio. The merger will enable New City to expand its architectural services and market reach while preserving its local leadership’s relationships with long-term clients in the region.

“We’re thrilled to welcome New City Design into the INVISION family,” said Josh Allison, vice president of operations at INVISION. ​“This partnership represents an exciting milestone for both firms and reflects a shared commitment to design excellence and client-focused service.”

Ted Van Dyk, founder and president of New City Design prior to the merger, likewise praises the merger. ​“By joining forces, our combined teams will be able to build upon this strong foundation — delivering exceptional, high-quality design while offering clients an even broader range of expertise,” he said. ​“This merger significantly strengthens our capabilities across architecture and interior design, creating a deeper and more versatile bench of talent to address increasingly complex and diverse project needs.

Van Dyk said the merged company is uniquely positioned to bring to its clients an elevated level of service, innovation, and design, while continuing to foster meaningful partnerships and create inspiring built environments.

“For New City, this partnership will expand our market depth and technical expertise, particularly in healthcare, higher education, and complex project types,” he said. ​“Our clients seek a broader range of services, and we see a firm with a greater expertise in the market as a natural role for New City/​ An INVISION Studio.”

Allison said that, over the years, Van Dyk and his team have built New City Design into an ​“outstanding, high-design practice with a strong reputation throughout the Raleigh market. Alongside Corey Bates and Shannon Laska, the team has cultivated a portfolio defined by creativity, quality, and a deep understanding of client needs. Their work and values align seamlessly with INVISION’s mission and culture.”

New City has contributed to numerous notable projects throughout the region, Van Dyk noted, including Morgan Street Food Hall and Market, The Franklin, OrthoNC, and the Rogers Mixed Use Office Building, building a reputation for thoughtful design and strong client partnerships across North Carolina.

While New City will now operate under the INVISION brand, Allison said clients can expect continuity in the relationships and leadership they already know and trust. Existing project teams and local leadership will remain in place, ensuring a seamless transition and preservation of the culture and responsiveness that have long defined the firm. 

New City is the latest in a recent string of strategic mergers by INVISION in its push to build a national architecture brand. Today, INVISION – founded in 1914 — employs more than 250 people across 11 cities. In addition to four other office locations in North Carolina, INVISION has offices in Charleston, S.C.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Des Moines, Iowa; Atlanta; Dallas; Kansas City, Mo.; and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, allowing for increased collaboration across studios and specialties.

The INVISION team serves more than 700 active clients and has won more than 100 design awards in the past decade alone.

INVISION has been an HFW Company since 2023. HFW, a professional services company founded in 2020, is a premier, best-in-class, national network of architecture and engineering (AE) companies. HFW, in its role, amplifies the collective expertise of its network and provides the operations platform and other resources needed to create greater long-term value for its network firms, employees, clients, investors, and the communities it serves.