We previously reported on how Coldplay is set to play at Rogers Stadium in Toronto next summer — the stadium is part of a 30-year master plan for the Downsview Airport Lands, spearheaded by Northcrest Developments. And transformation of the site continues to make progress. Most recently, Canada Lands Company submitted its Downsview West District Plan application to the city, with the goal of creating one of the largest transit-oriented communities in Toronto’s history.
Building on the recently approved Downsview Secondary Plan, Downsview West is set to transform the area next to the Downsview Park TTC/GO station and Downsview Park by providing diverse housing options within walking distance of transit.
“A complete community built for families, climate resilience, transportation, jobs and amenities, the Downsview West District Plan is the result of robust engagement and our deep ambition to deliver more housing with affordability and diversity in mind. We look forward to continued collaboration with residents, builders, Indigenous communities and the City of Toronto to deliver on a neighbourhood that will transform the area for generations to come” Stéphan Déry, President and CEO of Canada Lands Company, said in a statement.
According to the application, submitted to the city on Oct. 24, the 30-hectare (74-acre) area will feature about 8,800 homes within walking distance of transit, providing homes to approximately 17,000 residents. About 20% of these homes will be designated for affordable housing (making it one of the largest commitments from a single development application in the city’s history) and about 40% of homes will be two- and three-bedroom units.
Canada Lands is also focusing on building low-carbon communities, aiming for net-zero operation by 2040 to minimize carbon emissions. As most residents will live within a five-minute walk to transit, the goal is for 75% of trips to be taken via walking, cycling, and transit.
The area will include over 1 kilometre of off-street pedestrian and cycling paths, plus vibrant “complete streets” — these streets consider the needs and safety of all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and transit users, so residents can expect balanced on-street parking/loading needs and more greenery and beautification options. For example, the plan proposes 3.8 hectares (9.3 acres) of parks and open spaces, which will provide spots for gathering, recreation, tree canopies, and rainwater retention.
Residents could expect a green infrastructure system to treat rainwater as a resource, so private lands, roadways, and open spaces will be used to manage water during extreme rain events.
The plan also acknowledges the Aanikoobijiganag Miikana (the Ancestors’ trail), an 800-metre pedestrian route connecting Downsview Park TTC/GO stations to Downsview Park. Residents can look forward to an Indigenous-inspired public realm design, art installations, and architecture, providing a canvas for Indigenous storytelling and allowing the community to learn more about Indigenous peoples and the area’s histories.
This project has been years in the making. Canada Lands Company/Northcrest Developments first submitted a proposal to the city to transform the broader Downsview Lands back in 2021 after 18 months of community engagement, you can read more about that here.
