Downsview redevelopment takes another big step with Arbo from Canada Lands

By NextHome Staff
January 28, 2025

Redevelopment of the Downsview area of Toronto got another shot in the arm recently, when Canada Lands Co. received approval for the Draft Plan of Subdivision for Phase 1 of Arbo.

Approval of the Draft Plan for Phase 1 of Arbo at Downsview (formerly known as William Baker) is a crucial step in making the future neighbourhood a reality. The approval is needed to divide what has historically been a single large piece of property into parcels for development and public amenities. With approval in place, Canada Lands moves one step closer to receiving all necessary municipal approvals to be able to sell or lease the development lands to builders that can bring this project to life.

Transit-oriented community

Arbo at Downsview is intended to be a vibrant transit-oriented community with a mix of housing and set a precedent for thoughtful urban development. The future neighbourhood will feature an existing, significant natural heritage woodlot and a new ecological park at its core.

Arbo’s Phase 1 is a multi-block, 1,400-unit mixed-use community at Sheppard Avenue West and Keele Street with a minimum of 20 per cent of affordable housing units included. Almost 20 acres of land is being provided by Canada Lands to the City of Toronto for the woodlot and new parks. There will be a mix of residential and non-residential uses (such as commercial, retail and senior amenities). A new east-west street will serve the Phase 1 blocks, which will run between Keele and Sheppard.

Arbo is being developed in multiple phases. Phase 1 includes three development blocks (Block 1, Block 3A and Block 3B). The approved District Plan provides for approximately 1,400 residential units in Phase 1.

Upon approval of the Draft Plan of Subdivision for Phase 1, Canada Lands will begin working through the conditions of the Draft Plan of subdivision approval, including detailed engineering design of the public elements starting in 2025. This will conclude with subdivision registration, which will finalize the blocks created by the Draft Plan approval and allow for transfer of ownership to the City and future builder partners.

In fall 2024, Canada Lands announced plans for another major project at Downsview – Downsview West, one of the largest transit-oriented communities in Toronto’s history.

Built for families

Canada Lands has submitted its Downsview West District Plan application, proposing a transformational development with about 8,800 homes for approximately 17,000 residents, including 20 per cent affordable housing, new parks and commercial spaces.

“A complete community built for families, climate resilience, transportation, jobs and amenities, the Downsview West District Plan is the result of robust engagement and our deep ambition to deliver more housing with affordability and diversity in mind,” says Stephan Dery, president and CEO of Canada Lands. “We look forward to continued collaboration with residents, builders, Indigenous communities and the City of Toronto to deliver on a neighbourhood that will transform the area for generations to come.”

Approximately 40 per cent of homes are designed to be two and three-bedrooms units, catering to diverse households, including families. Most residents will live within a five-minute walk from higher-order public transit, supporting the goal of having 75 per cent of trips taken by walking, cycling and transit. The community also features more than one kilometre of off-street pedestrian and cycling paths, encompasses approximately 3.8 hectares (9.3 acres) of parks and open spaces, exceeding the municipal Planning Act requirements and providing spaces for gathering, recreation, tree canopy and rainwater retention.

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