Toronto is undertaking one of the most ambitious waterfront redevelopments in North America, with Ookwemin Minising at its core. Formerly known as Villiers Island, the new community spans 98 acres, featuring 50 acres of parkland, wetlands, and green space, and 48 acres of developable land. The project is not only a major engineering achievement but also a meaningful step in reconciliation as the city works to create one of its most significant future residential neighbourhoods.
Named Ookwemin Minising in 2024—meaning “place of the black cherry trees” in Anishinaabemowin—the island was created through the $1.4‑billion Port Lands Flood Protection project, which rerouted and naturalized the mouth of the Don River. Originally designed to protect nearly 500 acres of land from catastrophic flooding, the effort has since evolved into a long‑term vision for a new urban district. The City of Toronto’s updated Development Concept Plan, released in April, outlines a “complete, mixed‑income community” with up to 12,000 new homes, including thousands of rental units and a major commitment to affordability.
At the heart of the new neighbourhood is Centre Commons—a green, pedestrian‑focused space running east–west across the island that will serve as a place for families to stroll, neighbours to gather, and community events, pop‑ups, and markets to take root. Indigenous designers are helping shape this work, ensuring Indigenous worldviews are embedded throughout the plan.
The recently opened Biidaasige Park adds another major public space, offering both ecological value and everyday gathering areas. Across the island, the design emphasizes green corridors, pedestrian‑first streets, and climate‑resilient infrastructure. Homes will sit steps from restored natural habitats, creating what Waterfront Toronto describes as a “rare blend of urban living and ecological immersion.”
“Ookwemin Minising is about creating a complete, green, and livable neighbourhood,” said Pina Mallozzi, Senior Vice President, Design, Waterfront Toronto. “We’re combining more housing, including thousands of affordable homes, with green public spaces, people‑first streets, and a design that reflects the island’s history and ecology. The result is a community with a strong and unique sense of place.”
Housing diversity: a central pillar
According to Mallozzi, a central pillar of the plan is housing diversity. Of the roughly 12,000 homes envisioned, about 10,000 will be built on publicly owned land, supporting the Council‑approved target of 30 per cent affordable rental housing on public lands.
Rental housing will play a major role, with thousands of purpose‑built rental units—including affordable homes delivered through partnerships with both market and non‑profit housing providers. The island’s few privately owned parcels are also expected to contribute affordable rental units through community‑benefits agreements and negotiated planning approvals. The goal is to create a neighbourhood where “renters and owners live side by side” supported by shared amenities and vibrant public spaces.
While no private‑sector developers have yet been named for the residential or mixed‑use components, Waterfront Toronto is expected to launch the competitive process to select development partners sometime in the future.
“This is a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to build a new community that is inclusive, sustainable, and affordable,” said Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie. “We are ensuring that people of all incomes will be able to call this new neighbourhood home.”
Supporting services and infrastructure will include schools, community facilities, and employment spaces, creating a complete neighbourhood rather than a bedroom community. Design work has begun on much of the enabling infrastructure, but full residential buildout will unfold over the next decade and beyond. Mid‑rise buildings will define major streets, while taller towers will be placed strategically to preserve sunlight, views, and a human‑scaled public realm.
“As the Port Lands evolve and the city continues to face intense housing pressures, the island represents not just new land but new possibilities,” Mallozzi said. “It’s giving us the chance to rethink how Toronto grows, who it includes, and how communities can be built around both people and nature. Ookwemin Minising is poised to become a flagship example of 21st‑century city‑building—one that blends climate resilience, Indigenous place‑keeping, and housing affordability.”
Potential impacts of airport expansion
Concerns are growing that the neighbourhood depicted in current renderings could change substantially if the provincial government moves ahead with allowing jet aircraft at the island airport. In April, Coun. Josh Matlow directed staff to study how a widened or altered flightpath might affect proposed building heights and the island’s overall design, which includes 20 buildings across five blocks and five towers between 25 and 41 storeys. The forthcoming report will assess how an expanded flightpath could reshape the community’s physical form and day‑to‑day living experience, including any modifications that may be required.
Follow along for more details as this story develops.
