Downsview West – transit-oriented development set to transform community

Transit-centric development, master-planned communities, mixed-use developments, transformative projects… these are the types of housing you’re going to be hearing a lot more about in 2025 and the years ahead.

“These projects bring together residential, commercial and recreational spaces, creating vibrant, self-contained communities that meet the diverse needs of today’s residents,” says Debbie Cosic, CEO and founder of In2ition Realty. “As urban density increases, developments that integrate living, working, and leisure spaces are no longer a luxury – they’re essential to the way we build our cities.

Case in point, the massive, transformational project featured on the cover of this issue – Downsview West, by Canada Lands – one of the largest transit-oriented communities in Toronto’s history.

Canada Lands recently 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. Grounded in its involvement of over a decade in the community, Downsview West is Canada Lands’ third neighbourhood in the Downsview area. Building on the recently approved Downsview Secondary Plan, the community will transform the area adjacent to the Downsview Park TTC/GO station and Downsview Park.

“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.

Though details of the project have been announced, it will take some time to determine the precise breakdown of the home types, as well as the builders involved.

“Following our development applications submission, we expect approximately 18 months for City of Toronto approvals prior to detailed design and commencement of infrastructure work,” James Cox, vice-president of real estate, central region, for Canada Lands, told Condo Life. “Subsequently, we will look to initiate a competitive marketing and sales process to identify building partners, currently anticipated late 2026-27. Our priority in working with the City of Toronto and our partners is to accelerate and enable this much-needed housing.”

The mix of homes responds to adjacencies and public realm objectives, Cox adds. Midrise heights will dominate the district, with tall buildings located near the Downsview Park TTC and GO interchange stations.

Downsview West will be a complete community with a wide range of new public amenities, including new parks and open spaces, at least one new school, at least three new daycares, a new community centre, retail space and public art.

There are also additional public amenities located near Downsview West, including Canada Lands’ Downsview Park, a 118-hectare (291 acre) urban park, Cox says. Downsview Park features naturalized areas that include a lake, pond, meadow and urban forest for enjoyment of the outdoors. It is also a venue that hosts music festivals and concerts, fireworks displays, food festivals and outdoor movie nights.

clc-sic.ca

Downsview West is certainly not the only Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area transit-oriented or transformative master-planned community, live-work-play developments that offer a variety of housing options and amenities.

Several are already underway, in various stages:

Arcadia District
Arcadia District is a multi-tower condo development from EllisDon Developments at Bloor and Kipling in Etobicoke, standing at the forefront of a transformation in the heart of the Etobicoke City Centre. One of Arcadia District’s standout features is its connectivity, with a designated TTC stop and direct access to Kipling GO Station.
arcadiadistrict.com

Brightwater
Brightwater, a transformative 72-acre master-planned community along the Port Credit waterfront in Mississauga, with numerous developers and types of homes. Builders include FRAM + Slokker, Dream, DiamondCorp and Kilmer Group.
experiencebrightwater.ca

Kingsley Square
Kingsley Square from Briarwood Development Group in Newmarket comprises two towers of 15-storeys, linked with a three-storey podium with commercial spaces at grade fronting onto the street. This new zone is calling for height and density along the newly completed York Region rapid transit system, and just down the street from the Southlake Regional Healthcare Centre. With sleek architecture, community-focused amenities and eco-friendly features, Kingsley Square is designed to offer residents a lifestyle centred around convenience, well-being and a sense of belonging:
kingsleysquarecondos.com

Lakeview Village
Lakeview Village, a transformative 177-acre mixed-use waterfront community also along the waterfront in Port Credit, involving different housing types and several builders, such as Tridel and Branthaven. Tridel, in fact, recently broke ground for Harbourwalk, the first building at the property that was once home to a coal-fired power plant.
mylakeviewvillage.com

The Design District
Design District by Emblem Developments is central to the rejuvenation of downtown Hamilton. The Design District is a three-tower master-planned condominium community at 41 Wilson St. With construction underway, the luxury community will begin to take shape and further attract buyers looking to capitalize on the vibrant growth of the city.
emblemdevcorp.com

The Residences at Central Park
Central Park is a master-planned, mixed-use condominium community located in the east end of the prestigious Bayview Village neighbourhood on Sheppard Avenue in Toronto, from Amexon Development Corp. This development is one of the largest residential projects currently under construction in Toronto. The first residential building in this 12-acre, environmentally sustainable community is sold out, and phase two is launching soon.
centralparktoronto.com