‘YZD’ unveiled as new name for Downsview Airport lands

Northcrest Developments has unveiled a new name for a series of connected communities it is building on the 370-acre site formerly known as the Downsview Airport lands.

YZD, a call back to the original airport code of the former Downsview Airport, will be transformed into seven new neighbourhoods over the next 30 years and welcome more than 55,000 residents. The project, will include over 28 million SF of residential space, 7 million SF of commercial and cultural spaces, and nearly 74 acres of parks, green spaces, and a reimagined 2 kilometre runway.

Each neighbourhood will have its own distinct character, yet will share amenities, public spaces and community infrastructure, with a focus on walkability, transit connectivity and sustainable design.

“With these exciting milestones achieved, now’s the perfect moment to give the site a new identity. YZD was a name our team kept coming back to; it perfectly represents a new chapter in the storied legacy of the Downsview Airport,” says Derek Goring, CEO at Northcrest. “As a once-in-a-lifetime city-building opportunity in North America, we recognize the power of a name to shape an international destination. As we move ahead, we’re eager to see this site evolve into a lively place for living, gathering, culture and work.”

In recent months, Toronto City Council unanimously approved a new Secondary Plan for the Downsview area and Bombardier moved their manufacturing operations to Pearson International Airport, setting the stage for one of the largest urban redevelopment projects in North America. 

“For several years, we’ve been working closely with local community members and stakeholders from across the region to understand what types of activations, infrastructure and economic opportunities they want to see – both in the interim and in the future permanent state. This input has been critical in shaping a brand that not only honours the site’s legacy but also resonates with the broader community. Ultimately, we hope this brand is seen as a celebration of both the site and Toronto,” says Chris Eby, Executive Vice President of Corporate and Public Affairs at Northcrest.

Northcrest unveiled the new name and branding during its ‘Play on the Runway’ event, which invites thousands of community members to bike, dance, and play on the 2 kilometer runway. The annual event is one of several activations part of its ‘Meanwhile Use’ strategy, which has drawn tens of thousands of visitors to the site as it transforms into Toronto’s newest cultural hotspot.

“YZD has all the right ingredients to become a truly inspiring place full of possibilities for community and creative expression,” says Eby. “It’s been so gratifying to see people engage with this historically closed-off site in new and exciting ways. We’re eager to unveil more of our upcoming programming and plans that will appeal to all ages and interests.”

To learn more about YZD, visit: https://www.yzd.ca/