Liuna Pension Fund of Canada and Fengate Asset Management have announced Toronto Rail Yards, a transformative mixed-use community to be built above the active rail corridor between Bathurst St. and Spadina Ave. in downtown Toronto. The project reclaims underused air rights above the rail lands to create a vibrant, transit-connected neighborhood.
Project Scope and Features
Once complete, the development will deliver nearly 4,000 new homes, more than two acres of urban park space, 85,000 square metres of office space, two childcare centres, 4,700 square metres of retail space, and a six-acre deck extended over the rail yard. The deck is described as a “feat of engineering” by Jordana Ross, Fengate’s vice-president of engineering. It reclaims “underused air rights above a critical piece of rail infrastructure” and transforms the space into a vibrant destination with multiple pathways, urban park space, play areas, cycling paths, and attractive building frontages.
Transit-Oriented Design
Conspicuously absent from the features is parking — there will be no provisions for cars. Ross says “the walkability will be off the charts,” emphasizing that the project is designed to be transit-oriented. Connections to GO Transit and the city’s broader transit network are only steps away. Numerous local attractions including the Entertainment District, Rogers Centre, CN Tower, and Fort York are nearby.
Addressing Housing Needs
As Toronto faces growing demand for housing, Toronto Rail Yards will deliver thousands of new homes to help address the city’s critical housing needs. Ross highlights that a large percentage of units will be family-sized two- and three-bedroom units. The project includes a mix of housing types and sizes to accommodate diverse residents.
Construction Timeline
According to Fengate, the project will be delivered in phases to minimize construction impacts. Site preparation is anticipated to begin in 2028, with construction on the deck starting later that year. The deck will take approximately three years to complete. Towers and public space will be delivered in phases as deck construction progresses. The project will continue to be refined subject to feedback from the city and the community, says Ross.
