Northcrest Developments launches design competition to reimagine 2-km former airport Runway into a vibrant pedestrianized corridor, shaping a new era of placemaking on an international scale

THE RUNWAY AT YZD DESIGN COMPETITION AIMS TO TRANSFORM THE DECOMMISSIONED RUNWAY INTO AN ANCHOR AND CENTREPIECE FOR THE FUTURE 370-ACRE COMMUNITY.

(IN BRIEF) Northcrest Developments has launched a global design competition to transform the historic 2-km airstrip at Downsview airport in Toronto into “The Runway at YZD.” This project, part of one of North America’s largest urban developments, will turn the airstrip into a pedestrian-focused, publicly accessible corridor connecting seven new mixed-use communities across a 370-acre site. The Runway will offer diverse public spaces and programming for 55,000 future residents and 23,000 workers, with attractions for visitors. The site’s redevelopment, rooted in community engagement, will integrate sustainability, culture, and innovation, and aims to set a new standard in urban placemaking. The competition consists of two phases: an initial call for Expressions of Interest, followed by a Request for Proposals from shortlisted teams. The selected design team will begin work in 2025. The project is part of Northcrest’s broader effort to transform the Downsview area and will include other attractions and events to activate the space during development.

(PRESS RELEASE) TORONTO, 16-Oct-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Northcrest Developments has officially launched a global design competition for The Runway at YZD in Toronto. Formerly home to the historic Downsview airport, YZD is among the most ambitious and significant city-building efforts in North America. The Runway at YZD Design Competition will task cross-disciplinary design teams with transforming the historic 2-km (1.3-mile) airstrip into the cornerstone of the future series of mixed-use communities across the expansive 370-acre site.

The Runway at YZD is envisioned as an unparalleled outdoor experience – a continuous, pedestrian-focused and publicly-accessible corridor that will become a destination, attracting people from across the globe to experience its creative public spaces and wide range of programming. Not only will the former airstrip connect the seven complete communities at YZD, but it will also be animated by community uses, public amenities, and recreation opportunities for the 55,000 residents and 23,000 workers that will eventually live and work at the site, plus many more who will visit it every year.

A test airstrip, military base and centre for aerospace manufacturing and innovation for more than 100 years, the Downsview Airport was sold by Bombardier in 2018 and formally handed over to lead developer Northcrest this past spring. One of the largest and most ambitious transformations in North America, YZD will critically stitch these industrial lands back into the city of Toronto. In tandem with the reimagining of The Runway, Northcrest is advancing its District Plan for its first neighbourhood, The Hangar District.

The Runway at YZD Design Competition will task design teams with developing a holistic set of design guidelines for The Runway. Critical to the ongoing redevelopment at YZD, these guidelines will shape the future of The Runway and inform how it connects and interacts with the site’s neighbourhoods, all while becoming a landmark outdoor experience that stands as an international example of placemaking and innovation in adaptively reusing industrial infrastructure.

“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,” says Kristy Shortall, Senior Vice-President of Development at Northcrest Developments. “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.”

Award-winning urban designer, city-building advocate, and author Ken Greenberg will chair the competition jury, alongside other accomplished design, development and placemaking experts.

“The Runway at YZD will be an enabler of social and cultural life and the heart of the seven communities it traverses. It will be unlike anything else in Toronto, calling for an imaginative approach to create and implement a vision for The Runway’s evolving multi-decade, multi-party context,” says Greenberg. “The transformation of this centrepiece reflects a growing understanding that reusing urban infrastructure can become a great source of identity and uniqueness for successful neighbourhoods. YZD is an incredible city-building opportunity for not only Toronto, but North America, and The Runway will set the tone for much of what’s to come.”

The competition will consist of two phases. Phase one will see design teams submit Expressions of Interest. For phase two, Northcrest Developments will issue Requests for Proposals to shortlisted teams. Once selected by the jury, the winning team will begin work on The Runway Design guidelines in Q3 2025.

A community-first approach has grounded Northcrest’s approach from the start. For several years, Northcrest has implemented a comprehensive Meanwhile Use strategy, activating various areas of the site not immediately needed for development with free community-focused events, pop-ups, partnerships with local businesses and arts, and other cultural and recreation opportunities. These include the annual Play on the Runway, where thousands of visitors explore, roll, skate, bike and play on the vast Runway; Hangar Skate, an outdoor skating rink experience in the winter, as well as landmark attractions such as the Rogers Stadium, a seasonal outdoor venue that will help meet the growing demand for stadium-level tours.

“Our Meanwhile Use strategy has been instrumental in turning YZD into a vibrant community by opening this historically closed space and welcoming the public in. From our perspective, it’s a preview of the inclusive community we’re shaping, with The Runway poised to be a key magnet in the future. These activations are just the beginning of what YZD – and, critically, the future Runway – will offer as a destination for residents and visitors alike,” says Shortall.

Interested teams can find more details about The Runway at YZD Design Competition at yzd.ca/runwaydesign. Submissions for Expression of Interest are due at 11:59PM EST on November 22, 2024.

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About YZD:  

YZD is the transformation of the 370-acre former Downsview Airport lands, led by Toronto-based Northcrest Developments. This project will create one of the largest mixed-use development opportunities in North America. Over the next 30 years, these lands will be transformed into seven vibrant new neighbourhoods, welcoming over 55,000 residents and featuring over 28 million sq. ft. of residential space, seven million sq. ft. of commercial and cultural spaces, and nearly 74 acres of parks, green and open spaces, including a reimagined two-kilometre Runway. Informed by extensive feedback from thousands of local and city-wide stakeholders, YZD is set to become an international destination. To learn more about YZD, please visit: www.yzd.ca and follow YZD on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.

About Northcrest: 

Northcrest Developments, a Toronto-based real estate developer and wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (“PSP”), one of Canada’s largest pension investment managers, is leading the planning and redevelopment of the 370-acre YZD (formerly Downsview Airport lands) in Toronto, Canada. YZD represents a transformative vision for urban living, integrating sustainability, culture, and community engagement. As the lead developer, Northcrest is collaborating closely with local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and a diverse range of stakeholders and partners to reimagine this iconic site. Over the coming decades, they’ll create vibrant, inclusive neighbourhoods interconnected by a two-kilometre pedestrian street – the reimagined former Runway. This initiative underscores Northcrest’s commitment to setting a new benchmark in sustainable, equitable urban development. To learn more about Northcrest, please visit: https://www.northcrestdev.ca/ and follow Northcrest on LinkedIn: @northcrestdev

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FAQs: The Runway at YZD Design Competition

1. What is The Runway at YZD Design Competition? What is The Runway at YZD Design Competition? The Runway at YZD Design Competition is a global initiative launched by Northcrest Developments to transform the historic 2-km airstrip at the former Downsview Airport lands in Toronto into a vibrant, pedestrian-focused public corridor. The competition invites cross- disciplinary design teams to propose creative concepts for turning the former airstrip into a destination that connects seven new mixed-use communities.

2. Who can participate in the design competition? Teams are ideally led by a landscape architect, however, Northcrest is open to teams of all types of compositions and structures of diverse backgrounds and professions. The competition aims to gather innovative ideas from diverse disciplines to create a world-class public space.

3. What are the key objectives of The Runway at YZD project? The main objectives are to repurpose the former airstrip into a continuous, pedestrian-focused corridor that serves as a central hub for the new communities at YZD. The design should create a vibrant outdoor space for public events, recreation, and community uses, while promoting sustainability, innovation, and accessibility.

4. What is the historical significance of the Downsview Airport site? Downsview Airport, which is now being redeveloped into YZD, was historically a military base, test airstrip, and aerospace manufacturing hub for over 100 years. The lands were officially transferred from Bombardier to Northcrest in 2024, and its redevelopment is one of the largest and most significant urban transformations in North America.

5. What will the winning design team be tasked with? The selected design team will develop a comprehensive set of design guidelines for The Runway at YZD, ensuring it integrates seamlessly with the surrounding communities while creating a landmark public space. The design will inform how the corridor interacts with nearby neighborhoods and becomes a central part of the YZD development.

6. What are the phases of the competition? The competition consists of two phases:

• Phase 1: Interested design teams will submit their Expressions of Interest (EOI).
• Phase 2: Northcrest Developments will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to shortlisted teams. The winning team will be selected by a jury of design and development experts, with work on the design guidelines starting in Q3 2025.

7. How does The Runway contribute to the overall vision for YZD? The Runway is envisioned as the heart of YZD, connecting the seven complete communities across the 370-acre site. It will be animated by public spaces, recreational activities, and community amenities, offering a unique outdoor experience for residents, workers, and visitors.

8. What is the Meanwhile Use strategy? Northcrest’s Meanwhile Use strategy involves activating areas of the YZD site that are not yet under development with community- focused events, pop-ups, and recreational activities. Events like Play on the Runway and Hangar Skate have already attracted thousands of visitors, previewing what the future Runway and YZD site will offer.

9. What is the expected timeline for the project? The design competition is currently underway, with Expressions of Interest due by November 22, 2024. The winning design team will begin work on the guidelines in Q3 2025, and the full transformation of the YZD site will unfold over the next 30 years.

10. How does The Runway at YZD promote sustainability? The redevelopment of The Runway and the wider YZD project is guided by sustainability principles, incorporating extensive green infrastructure, green spaces, and a pedestrian-first design. It seeks to reduce environmental impact while creating comfortable, vibrant, inclusive communities.

11. How can interested teams get involved in the competition? Design teams can find more information and submit their Expressions of Interest via the YZD website at yzd.ca/runwaydesign. Submissions are due by November 22, 2024.

12. Who is leading the design competition jury? The jury will be chaired by Ken Greenberg, an award-winning urban designer and city-building advocate, alongside a panel of experts in design, development, and placemaking.

SOURCE: Northcrest Developments