FAQs

YZD celebrates the rich history of the former Downsview Airport lands while embracing the exciting transformation ahead. The name, inspired by the site’s original call sign, honours its aviation legacy – something that local residents and stakeholders told us was important to them – and it reflects our vision for what’s to come. YZD connects to the past and points to the future, marking the start of a new chapter for this iconic site.

Northcrest Developments envisions transforming the 370-acre former Downsview Airport lands into YZD—a series of vibrant, sustainable neighbourhoods that will evolve over the next 30 years. Each district - or neighbourhood - will offer a diverse mix of housing, employment opportunities, and community spaces, designed to meet the needs of current and future generations. This ambitious journey is deeply rooted in collaboration, incorporating the priorities of thousands of residents, businesses, and stakeholders to shape every phase of development. As YZD unfolds, it aims to set a new benchmark for inclusive, sustainable urban living, creating a lasting legacy for Toronto and its people.

YZD will be home to more than 54,000 residents and provide 23,000 jobs, creating a vibrant new hub for housing and economic opportunity. Our goal is to build complete neighbourhoods that offer a range of affordable housing options while attracting businesses and meaningful jobs to the area. By combining diverse housing with robust employment opportunities, YZD will address both the housing and economic needs - supporting the community and the city for generations to come. 

The YZD project is designed to create complete, connected neighbourhoods that enhance quality of life. Beyond providing new homes and jobs, YZD will bring essential community infrastructure like schools, community centres, childcare facilities, and cultural spaces close to where people live. With sustainability at its core, YZD will weave together city and nature through ~74 acres (30 hectares) of inter-connected parks and open spaces, connecting to adjacent Downsview Park via an iconic pedestrian-focused bridge. With multiple links to existing transit stations, YZD will become a new northern hub for work, play and culture, spurring economic growth and opportunity in the surrounding area. The project offers benefits that will support both the local community and the broader city for generations to come.  

At Northcrest, we are committed to helping address Toronto’s housing supply and affordability crisis. YZD will include rental and ownership options, geared towards all who call Toronto home, from students, to families and seniors. We are working closely with the City of Toronto to ensure affordable housing is a part of the neighbourhoods we plan, helping to build a diverse and inclusive community. We aim to meet and where possible exceed City requirements. Our first district, the Hangar District, will include affordable rental units, as defined by the City, to support essential workers like teachers, nurses, and firefighters.

Northcrest Developments is the lead developer of YZD, a once-in-a-generation project transforming the 370-acre former Downsview Airport lands in Toronto. Established in 2018 by the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP), one of Canada’s largest pension investors, Northcrest was created to bring an ambitious vision to life. Our goal is to turn these lands into a vibrant, mixed-use urban community with walkable neighbourhoods, parks, housing, jobs, and community spaces, all designed to minimize carbon impact and maximize opportunities for local and equity-deserving groups.  

Northcrest is committed to ensuring that the development of YZD reflects a shared vision shaped by those who will live, work, and visit the area. We’ve engaged with more than 80,000 individuals and 180 groups through multiple rounds of public consultation, hosting events and gathering feedback to inform our plans. This engagement process has helped us understand community priorities, including the need for more housing options, local job opportunities, and public spaces. We’ve heard the importance of creating complete neighbourhoods with shops, schools, and cultural amenities, and we remain dedicated to an open, ongoing dialogue. Every step of the way, Northcrest works closely with Indigenous Peoples, local residents, the City of Toronto and the community organizations to ensure YZD meets both current and future needs. 

We understand that traffic congestion, especially during busy times like school drop-offs, is a key concern for the local community. The area’s limited street connections, shaped by its history as a fenced-off active airfield, have made getting around challenging. Working with the City and local communities, our team is carefully planning measures to minimize disruptions at every stage of development (with a Traffic Impact Study required prior to approval and a Construction Management Plan for thereafter). This project will quite literally stitch together a major part of the city by introducing new routes and entrances to improve traffic flow, while enhancing access to three TTC subway stations and the GO Rail line. In the long term, our pedestrian-friendly street designs will further reduce reliance on cars, fostering a more sustainable, connected, and healthy community. We’ll continue working closely with residents, using feedback and on-site observations to refine our approach and deliver thoughtful, lasting solutions.  

The development of YZD is thoughtfully designed to utilize existing infrastructure and connectivity. We’re starting with districts that make the most of existing buildings, roads, and subway stations. First up is the Hangar District, where the repurposed hangars will be the heart of the neighbourhood, to create a vibrant, mixed-use area that brings jobs back to the site following Bombardier’s relocation. Next is the Wilson District, which will connect YZD directly to the TTC’s adjacent Wilson Subway Station, enhancing transit access and seamlessly integrating the site into Toronto’s transit network. Each district builds on the foundation of the last, ensuring a cohesive and connected community. In the meantime, the undeveloped land won't sit vacant. We're activating the site with uses like Rogers Stadium at the northern end, which will host 10-12 concerts each summer starting in 2025. This, and other interim uses, will help make YZD a destination as we continue to build over the next number of decades.  

Northcrest has been working on the District Plan for the 101-acre Hangar District since 2021. Informed by extensive consultation, the final district plan is due to be submitted to the City in Q1 2025. Following the enactment of the Secondary Plan approval on August 9, 2024, Northcrest started the consultation process to inform its second district, the Wilson District. 

In 2018, Bombardier announced it would close its manufacturing and runway operations at the 370-acre Downsview Airport lands in 2024, presenting a unique opportunity to redevelop the area. PSP Investments bought the 370-acre site and established Northcrest Developments, as lead developer for YZD, the former airport lands. Since then, Northcrest Developments and adjacent landowner Canada Lands Company have worked closely with the community and stakeholders to plan for the future of the Downsview Lands. The shared vision led to the creation of the Framework Plan. Simultaneously, the City embarked on the Update Downsview process to review the 2011 Downsview Secondary Plan. The City submitted the final Secondary Plan to Council in 2024, which was unanimously approved by Council on May 22 and brought into force and effect on August 9, 2024.  

Northcrest Developments and Canada Lands Company (CLC) began collaborating because they are neighbours, each owning a portion of the 520-acre Downsview Lands. Northcrest leads the transformation of the 370-acre YZD site, while CLC oversees 150 acres, in addition to the existing 291-acre Downsview Park. Together, they developed the Framework Plan, which laid out a shared vision for the area and formed the basis of the City’s new Secondary Plan for the area approved by City Council in May 2024. With this approval, both Northcrest and CLC are now advancing their respective projects, ensuring the broader area is developed in a cohesive and complementary way. This partnership allows for better coordination and alignment as each company moves forward with their unique redevelopment plans. 

Responsible Development is our commitment to thinking ahead, with city-building that prioritizes quality of life for both people and the planet. At YZD, this means making decisions with care and foresight, knowing they will shape Toronto’s future for generations. As stewards of 370 acres of land with rich community, industrial, and Indigenous history, we have a responsibility to set a new standard for urban development. Our approach is guided by a Responsible Development Framework, which focuses on five interconnected outcomes, from sustainable design and low-carbon construction to inclusive community engagement and vibrant public spaces. It’s about creating a place where people and nature thrive together. To learn more about Responsible Development, visit https://yzd2025.vercel.app/responsibility

As a whole, YZD will feature approximately 74 acres (30 hectares) of parks, green spaces, and open areas, creating a network of outdoor spaces for the community. This includes multiple new parks across the site, offering spaces to play, relax, and connect with nature. One of the most notable features will be the reimagined 2-kilometre former Runway, which will serve as a pedestrian boulevard and gathering space. These parks, open and green spaces are designed to seamlessly connect the seven distinct neighbourhoods within YZD, ensuring residents have access to recreation and nature within a short walk or roll.  

We’d love for you to learn more about what’s in store for YZD. There are plenty of opportunities to explore our plans and get involved. The best way to stay informed is by visiting our website, where you’ll find the latest updates and detailed project information. You can also stop by our Experience Centre to see the plans in person, ask questions, and meet our team. Please check our website for events and open hours. We’re here to help and would love to hear from you—feel free to email us anytime at info@northcrestdev.ca.  

The redevelopment of YZD is a long-term project that will unfold in carefully planned stages to ensure it meets the needs of the community. Based on our current timeline, we expect to welcome the first residents in the first district, The Hangar District, in 2031. While it may seem far off, this phased approach allows us to thoughtfully design neighborhoods that will provide homes, jobs, and essential amenities, while also building the necessary supporting infrastructure. This ensures we create a resilient and connected community that will benefit both current and future generations. 

Some smaller construction projects have already begun across the site, from updating utilities, to renovating one of the old hangar buildings to act as the YZD Experience Centre, Northcrest office and a commercial exhibition venue. Major construction can only happen after the City approves The Hangar District development plan. We anticipate that this will happen in mid-2025, allowing us to start construction in 2026.  

District Plans are created by the developer and these plans zoom in on specific portions of Secondary Plan Areas, giving more detailed insights into areas including local streets and services, heights and sizes of buildings, and the size and location of parks. The boundaries of District Plans are determined by the City of Toronto. District Plans are developed in consultation with all property owners within the applicable district’s boundaries.  

Secondary Plans are developed or updated when there is a change in context, such as a new development opportunity or shifts in city policy. In the case of Downsview, the process was triggered in 2021 as part of Update Downsview, following a joint submission by Northcrest Developments and Canada Lands Company that proposed amendments to the Official Plan. This submission prompted a collaborative effort to reimagine the area's future in alignment with city priorities. 

A Secondary Plan is a high-level plan developed by the City of Toronto to provide an overall vision for a specific area. It outlines how the lands will be used, including transportation options like transit, streets, and cycling routes; parks and public spaces; infrastructure such as stormwater management, sewage, and energy systems; community benefits like schools and libraries; and urban design guidelines for the area’s future look and feel.  

Hines is a globally recognized developer and asset manager. Northcrest has partnered with Hines to develop the first phase of the Hangar District. We chose Hines as a partner given our shared values and their proven track record. 

Northcrest created The Runway at YZD Design Competition, which closed in November 2024, to invite firms from around the globe to participate in helping reimagine the 2km stretch of Runway at YZD. In February 2025, five teams were shortlisted to participate in a closed RFP process. Their submissions will be evaluated by a jury, led by esteemed urban designer, Ken Greenberg. A winning team is expected to be chosen this Fall, and their toolkit of strategic, long-term guidelines will help shape the future design and development of The Runway as surrounding districts evolve. These guidelines do not represent the final design of The Runway.