Northcrest Developments

As the year draws to a close, we reflect on the milestones that shaped 2024—a year of collaboration, creativity, and progress. Each step forward brings us closer to realizing the extraordinary potential of YZD, the former Downsview Airport lands, and the community we are building together. ✅Downsview Secondary Plan Approval This year, the Downsview Secondary Plan received unanimous approval from Toronto City Council. This milestone represents years of partnership with Canada Lands Company, countless conversations with community members, and shared aspirations for vibrant neighbourhoods, expansive parkland, and economic opportunity. With this approval, district-level planning is now underway, moving us closer to transforming these lands. ✅Introducing YZD The unveiling of YZD was a moment rooted in reflection and possibility. By adopting the Downsview Airport’s original call sign, YZD honours its storied past while embracing its future as a hub for creativity, connection, and community. ✅Launch of The Runway Design Competition We launched The Runway at YZD Design Competition, calling on visionary teams to transform the site’s 2-kilometre runway into a pedestrian-first corridor. This initiative builds on adaptive reuse and sustainable design principles, ensuring the site’s legacy informs its vibrant future. ✅Opening of the YZD Plaza and Experience Centre The opening of these spaces offered a glimpse into the transformation underway at YZD. Designed as places to gather, explore, and connect, the Plaza and Experience Centre reflect YZD’s collaborative spirit and mark the first steps toward a thriving community. ✅Welcoming Live Nation With the announcement of Rogers Stadium at YZD, Live Nation is bringing a new cultural anchor to Toronto. Opening in 2025, this venue represents a bold step in activating the site, creating a platform for global talent, local voices, and new opportunities for connection. ✅Beyond the Tarmac: An Open Call for Submissions This year also saw the launch of Beyond the Tarmac, an initiative inviting artists, programmers, and event producers to reimagine the Downsview Airport lands. With a focus on creativity, accessibility, and imagination, this program demonstrates our commitment to fostering a thriving arts community while creating spaces that inspire. ✅Recognized With a National Urban Design Award We are proud that The Downsview Framework Plan received a 2024 National Urban Design Award for its thoughtful vision for sustainable, community-focused city-building. As we reflect on this year, we are humbled by the progress we’ve made and grateful to the partners, stakeholders, and community members who make this work possible and brought thousands to YZD. From Bubble Planet, Dino’s Alive, Oktoberfest, and so many others, we’re thrilled to see the creativity and vision of our partners bring YZD to life. Here’s to the milestones we’ve achieved and the opportunities ahead as we continue building the future of YZD.

"Communities are built through relationships, and the voices we engage today shape the foundation for future generations,” says Ian Hanecak, Northcrest Developments Senior Manager of Community Relations. Discover how YZD’s long-term vision fosters collaboration, empowers youth, and prioritizes meaningful engagement to build a community that grows with its people.

It’s time to rethink how we build new communities. Right now, we’re faced with a critical question: how do we build more homes and make them places that people can not only afford to live in but are also proud to call home? At Northcrest Developments, projects like YZD, the transformation of the former Downsview Airport lands in Toronto, aim to answer this by weaving together nature, innovation, and thoughtful urban design. I spoke with Valeria Pagliaro and Nikolas Neubert of LAND who helped us understand strategies for measuring natural capital in cities earlier this year. We spoke about how better space efficiency, exceptional public spaces, and nature-inspired design principles can create more livable communities—balancing sustainability with affordability and quality of life. The work isn’t easy, but the opportunity to shape cities that inspire and endure has never been more important. https://lnkd.in/gag_NsrB

In our ongoing dialogue with residents and general engagement, we’ve had a recurring ask: to provide accessible, family-friendly activities during the winter. To continue to meet that call, Hangar Skate is returning, starting December 20. Hangar Skate is where people come together—offering free skating, affordable rentals, and a welcoming space designed for shared experiences. Set against the backdrop of an historic airplane hangar, the rink embodies our principles of placemaking: transforming functional spaces into vibrant hubs for community and connection. This is just one part of a larger winter program at YZD, with activities designed to embrace and celebrate the holidays and our Canadian winters. Bookings for free rink time are now open at https://lnkd.in/gFXmJqWg We look forward to welcoming you to Hangar Skate this season!

Step Beyond the Tarmac and into the unexpected. We’re proud to announce the winners of Beyond the Tarmac, an annual open call by Northcrest Developments that provides funding for large-scale creative activations at YZD. This cultural initiative focuses on free or low-cost, community-oriented, and visually engaging projects, transforming YZD into a dynamic stage for creativity, innovation, and connection. Each winning project brings a unique perspective to reimagine YZD’s industrial spaces with bold and imaginative concepts that celebrate art, history, and community. Runway Rivers will invite visitors to explore Toronto’s lost waterways through an interactive canoe experience that blends art, history, and environmental storytelling. Street Art will reimagine YZD as a vibrant canvas for live painting and graffiti, featuring leading Canadian and international street artists. Wonderful will transform one of YZD’s iconic hangars into an immersive, multi-sensory journey, combining storytelling and advanced audio technology to create a truly unforgettable experience. We can’t wait to see these installations take shape and help define the next chapter of YZD’s evolution. https://lnkd.in/gNrNwvMJ

“The hives at YZD are more than homes for bees—they’re part of the transformation of this land. Each jar of honey reflects the resilience of a place that has evolved from an industrial hub into a model for sustainable urban living.” This reflection comes from Peter Chorabik, a third-generation beekeeper with deep family ties to Downsview. With 40 hives on the site, his work at YZD is part of a broader network of local innovators who are redefining what urban spaces can be. At Northcrest, we’re proud to partner with Peter and others who bring vision and purpose to YZD. These collaborations strengthen the connection between nature and community, ensuring that every aspect of the site serves a greater good. Together, we’re building a legacy rooted in sustainability, creativity, and shared stewardship.

Since mid-September, Weekends at YZD has drawn over 1,500 visitors, transforming Sundays into a dynamic hub of community and creativity. More than a series of events, it’s a deliberate effort to cultivate a space where connections deepen, curiosity thrives, and joy is discovered in the everyday. As Mitchell Marcus, Executive Director of Site Activation & Programming, notes: “Every swing, every artwork, every program is a carefully crafted piece of an evolving story, designed to inspire and bring people together.” These early successes reflect YZD’s potential as a site of transformation, where intentional design and programming create a vibrant, inclusive community experience. With events running through December, we’re just beginning to see how YZD will redefine placemaking.

What does it take to transform a two-kilometre Runway into a world-class public space? Mitchell Marcus, Northcrest Developments’ Executive Director of Site Activation and Programming, and Ken Greenberg, Competition Chair and renowned urban designer, explore the bold possibilities behind The Runway at YZD Design Competition. This is no ordinary design challenge. It’s a call to redefine urban life—where ecology, technology, and social interaction converge to create a new kind of shared space. The winning team will establish design guidelines to help define The Runway—the heart of YZD’s future neighbourhoods—setting a global precedent for innovative placemaking. Submissions for Expressions of Interest are open until November 22. We hope that you’ll share this rare opportunity with your networks and those who should be part of this visionary journey: yzd.ca/runwaydesign.

At AZURE Media’s Human/Nature conference, a compelling question took centre stage: How can we design cities that live in harmony with nature? Our workshop, “City-Nature: A Blueprint for Tomorrow’s Cities” introduced attendees to the transformative potential of our Framework Plan—a collaborative vision developed with neighbouring landowner and developer, Canada Lands Company / Société Immobilière du Canada and the project team including: 🟢 KPMB Architects’s Kevin Bridgman 🟢 Henning Larsen’s Michael Sorensen 🟢 SLA’s Rasmus Astrup 🟢 Urban Strategies Inc.’s Emily Reisman This transformative 520-acre vision aims to set new standards for city-building. A central guiding principle of the Framework Plan is “City-Nature”—not merely incorporating green spaces but reimagining how urban areas can foster dynamic, symbiotic relationships with nature. From adaptive microclimates to green infrastructure, the plan showcases the role of intentional design in cultivating vibrant social and cultural outcomes, helping to set a new benchmark for sustainable urban development. Moderated by Northcrest Developments’ Jeffrey Ranson with a Q&A session featuring representatives from the two developers, CLC’s David Anselmi and Northcrest Developments’ Jesse Zuker this impactful event gave us a platform to share our collective approach. We’re eager to advance this dialogue, to shape cities that embrace and respect the natural world—where the urban meets the wild.

We’re proud to share that Northcrest’s Kristy Shortall has been selected as a recipient in the Ontario region for Connect CRE’s 2024 Canadian Women in Real Estate Awards! As a leader and driving force behind one of North America’s largest urban developments, Kristy’s dedication is redefining what’s possible in city-building on a monumental scale. Her expertise and commitment have been instrumental in shaping Northcrest’s mission, transforming how communities live, work, and connect. This recognition not only celebrates her profound impact on the industry but also reflects our commitment to creating sustainable, forward-thinking spaces for future generations. Congratulations, Kristy! https://lnkd.in/gyAAUyki