Plans for a large-scale, mixed-use development in North York, dubbed the Wilson District, are moving forward with applications submitted to the City of Toronto, according to documents released March 20, 2026. The project, spearheaded by Northcrest Developments, envisions a 22-building community adjacent to Wilson station on the University Line 1, transforming a portion of the former Downsview Airport lands.
The 18-hectare (180,841 square meter) site, bordered by Wilson Avenue, Dufferin Street and Allen Road, currently includes remnants of the airport runway, surface parking, and leased lands. The proposed development aims to create a transit-oriented neighbourhood with approximately 705,280 square meters of gross floor area, with the vast majority – 635,780 square meters – dedicated to residential use. The overall floor space index is projected to be 3.9.
The design, a collaboration between Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and Adamson Associates Architects, calls for buildings ranging in height from approximately 29 meters to a maximum of 195 meters (63 storeys). Taller structures will be concentrated near Wilson station and along major thoroughfares like Wilson Avenue and Billy Bishop Way, with heights gradually decreasing towards the west and north to integrate with existing lower-rise neighbourhoods and future development phases.
The Wilson District is planned to accommodate 9,529 residential units, comprising a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Alongside the residential component, the development will include 69,500 square meters of non-residential space, encompassing 24,505 square meters of office space, 23,690 square meters of retail and commercial areas, and a range of community facilities. These include an elementary school, a district library, three childcare centers, a flexible community space, a hotel, and a central cultural hub referred to as the “District Heart.”
A significant emphasis is placed on public space, with approximately 33,106 square meters of open space planned. This includes two public parks totaling 16,300 square meters, a 5,351 square meter segment of the “Green Spine” along the eastern edge, and a network of Privately-Owned Publicly-accessible Spaces (POPS). Key elements of the public realm include the “Runway Plaza,” repurposing a section of the former airstrip, and the “Arc,” a pedestrian connection to Wilson station.
The Wilson District is part of the larger YZD (York Downsview) redevelopment project, a 370-acre community envisioned on the former Downsview Airport site. Northcrest Developments is leading the reimagining of the area, following the 2024 Downsview Secondary Plan which outlined the long-term vision for the 540-hectare lands. The Wilson District is one of 15 districts within this framework.
The area is currently served by existing TTC bus routes, and the plan calls for improved cycling infrastructure, including dedicated facilities and pedestrian-focused street design. Potential transit improvements along Wilson Avenue and Dufferin Street are being considered under the city’s RapidTO program. Longer-term regional transportation initiatives, such as the Proceed Expansion and a proposed extension of the Sheppard Line 4, are likewise under study by Metrolinx.
Development activity is already increasing in the surrounding area. To the northwest, the Hangar District, another component of the YZD masterplan, is planned to include 39 buildings up to 23 storeys. East of Wilson station, construction is underway on a six-building community at 50 Wilson Heights Boulevard, ranging from 11 to 16 storeys, and the Express Condominiums on the Subway feature three towers between 14 and 17 storeys. Further proposals include a 34-storey tower at 2 Tippett Road and a five-tower development at 75 Billy Bishop Way, ranging from 21 to 49 storeys.
Northcrest Developments anticipates submitting a draft plan to the City of Toronto in early 2026, with community input playing a key role in shaping the final design. The company continues to host public events and art installations at the site to provide a preview of the future neighbourhood.
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