Northcrest Developments has launched a global design competition for the Runway at YZD in Toronto.

Once home to the historic Downsview Airport, YZD is regarded as one of the most ambitious city-building projects in North America. The $30-billion YZD project involves the redevelopment of the former Downsview Airport.

The Runway is the airport’s former airstrip.

The competition invites design teams from various disciplines to transform the two-kilometre former runway into a key strip future mixed-use communities across the 370-acre site.

Northcrest’s vision of the Runway comprises a pedestrian-focused, publicly accessible corridor that will serve as a destination for visitors from around the world. The redeveloped former airstrip will connect seven planned communities within YZD and offer public amenities, community spaces, and recreational opportunities. The space is designed to serve the 55,000 residents and 23,000 workers expected to live and work at the site, as well as the many visitors it will attract.

A former test airstrip and military base, Downsview Airport had been a centre for aerospace manufacturing for more than 100 years. In 2018, Bombardier sold the airport, and it was transferred to lead developer Northcrest in spring 2024.

The YZD project aims to reintegrate the industrial lands into the fabric of Toronto. As part of this transformation, Northcrest is also moving forward with plans for YZD’s first neighbourhood, the Hangar District, which is slated to contain a combination of multi-residential, retail, industrial and office properties, along with amenities. Northcrest is partnering on the Hangar with the Canadian subsidiary of U.S.-based Hines.

The Runway design competition will guide the development of the space, ensuring it aligns with the site’s broader goals of creating vibrant, connected communities, said Northcrest. The company wants the winning design to serve as an international example of how industrial infrastructure can be repurposed into innovative public spaces.

“This competition presents an extraordinary opportunity for design teams to make their mark by reimagining a cherished piece of Toronto’s industrial heritage into a world-class four-season public space,” said Kristy Shortall, senior vice-president of development at Toronto-based Northcrest.

“The Runway is the heart of YZD. It will be the primary pedestrian corridor, and it embodies our ambitions of creating complete communities that are vibrant, sustainable and connected, prioritizing people at its core. We’re excited to see the level of talent and creativity that will emerge to help bring this vision to life.”

Urban designer Ken Greenberg praised the initiative.

“The transformation of the Runway is a remarkable opportunity to create a public space unlike any other in the world, while celebrating Downsview’s important history.”

YZD draws its name from the former airport’s call sign. Northcrest is a subsidiary of the Ottawa-based Public Sector Pension Plan Investment Board, whose main business office is in Montreal and works with the development company on YZD and other projects.

Photo: Courtesy of kg&a/Northcrest Developments