An abandoned airport in Toronto, Canada, is on the brink of a massive transformation into a new £22 billion city for approximately 50,000 residents. The former Downsview Airport, which ceased operations in 2024, is set for a $30 billion redevelopment that will span over 370 acres.
Dubbed YZD, the ambitious project is expected to unfold over a period exceeding 30 years, encompassing residential spaces, retail outlets, schools, and recreational areas. It stands out as one of the most ambitious undertakings in North American history.
The project includes the conversion of a 1.24-mile former runway into a central park that will link various neighborhoods within the development, serving as the community’s “connective tissue.” Recent revisions to the plans for the Downsview West District segment of the project have refined proposals for a large-scale mixed-use community around the Downsview Park TTC and GO station.
The revised plans, developed in collaboration with firms such as Urban Strategies, Trophic Design, and ERA Architects, aim to enhance the district framework following feedback from stakeholders. YZD is identified as one of the largest urban transformation areas in North America, with the Downsview West District leading the way as the first key Canada Lands-led district situated north of Downsview Park.
The latest proposals outline the division of the area into three distinct zones – Station Quarter, Heart at the Crossroads, and the Mews neighborhood, with taller structures strategically placed near transit points. The submission also addresses elements like tower placement, transitions between buildings of varying heights, and material usage.
Originally used for warplane production during World War II, the Downsview Airport site later transitioned to an aerospace facility in the 1990s. The CEO of Northcrest Developments, the company overseeing the project, emphasized the importance of leveraging existing structures to infuse character and uniqueness into the development.
The proposed development is slated to provide approximately 8,800 residential units, with 20% designated as affordable housing, alongside a mix of commercial, retail, and community amenities. Additionally, the plans introduce the Depot Mews shared street concept to enhance the community’s connectivity and sustainability efforts.