Foundations of a Legacy

Twenty-five years ago, Khayeri Curated Flooring began with a vision that would later shape some of the world’s most recognized architectural and residential projects.

By Christina Armanious

A 25-year anniversary is not simply a measure of time passed; it reflects where a vision began and what it has grown into. Now 25 years in, Khayeri Curated Flooring—a Canadian leader in bespoke, luxury hardwood—has a story as much about craftsmanship and scale as it is about evolution and enduring design. From national projects such as Toronto’s prestigious One Bloor East to international work on the world’s tallest skyscraper, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, this milestone for Khayeri carries a weight few companies can claim.

Like many great success stories, everything starts with an idea that challenges what’s possible. For Mehran Khayeri, that idea took shape in 2001, when he began importing the first engineered floors to Canada from Europe, exclusively representing one of Italy’s most luxurious manufacturers. “At that time, here in North America, all that was being used was solid wood flooring, typically nailed down to plywood subfloors,” says Khayeri, founder of the company that would later become Khayeri Curated Flooring.

This new offering marked the beginning of a shift in how hardwood could be designed and experienced. Engineered flooring was developed to offer greater versatility and stability than traditional hardwood, allowing it to be installed over surfaces such as concrete—not just plywood—making it ideal for basements, commercial spaces, and in-floor heating. It also resists warping and movement while using the same wear layer as solid wood, allowing it to be sanded and refinished for decades. Across Khayeri’s collections, the top layer is crafted exclusively from French white oak—sourced from trees that take over a century to mature—paired with a fast-growing, renewable Baltic marine birch backing. This layered engineered construction delivers long-term durability and a more responsible use of precious hardwood material. 

By 2018, Khayeri brought his work under his own name, launching Khayeri Curated Flooring to allow for complete customization and a more bespoke approach, while continuing to produce his product in Europe. Today, his work spans many acclaimed architectural projects, including Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the tallest skyscraper in the world. “Some of my proudest moments were being involved in the procurement of the wood flooring for the Burj Khalifa,” Khayeri says. 

In Toronto, Khayeri’s work is visible at the heart of the city, at the acclaimed residential tower One Bloor East. Spanning more than 600,000 square feet, the landmark project exclusively features wood floors supplied and installed by Khayeri Curated Flooring, making it “the single largest wood flooring installation in a North American tower,” Khayeri explains.

Reflecting on his early career, he recalls entering the industry straight out of university, driven by a mission to educate and inspire others about engineered flooring. “Imagine a 23-year-old knocking on the doors of some of the largest developers, interior design firms and architecture firms, trying to explain that there’s a better way to use wood floors in your projects,” he says.

That persistence would later translate into involvement across some of the country’s most sought-after developments, including the St. Regis, X2, One City Hall, the Distillery District condominiums, and more than 1,500 bespoke residences. 

“Design starts from the ground up,” Khayeri says. “In any beautiful space, flooring is the largest surface area. It represents the canvas on which everything else is built.”