The Hangar District, Toronto’s first neighbourhood soon to arrive on the massive Downsview Airport lands, is generating some buzz about the building to come by hosting Drive-In Downsview: A Pop-up Film Experience, every weekend in May.

“After the success of past outdoor activations, including Play on the Runway, the festive Light Up Downsview drone show and more recently Hangar Skate, Northcrest is thrilled to welcome residents to the start of our summer programming,” says Mitchell Marcus, executive director at Northcrest Developments. “Creating community is at the heart of The Hangar District. Events like Drive-In Downsview allow us to bring families, residents and community groups in the area together.”

Family and friends are encouraged to carpool or bring lawn chairs to enjoy a classic movie experience under the stars. The diverse selection of family-friendly films were voted on and chosen by the public based on a shortlist curated by community partners. Admission for each screening is by a pay-what-you-can donation, with all funds going to a series of local charities

The Hangar District got its name for the creative reuse of the soon-to-be decommissioned airport’s hangars. It’s the first phase of Northcrest and Canada Lands Company’s ambitious 520-acre id8 Downsview project. The inaugural phase would incorporate 1.5 million square feet of new studio space and offices in the aerospace facilities in addition to delivering 2,800 residential units in future buildings up to 14 storeys. 

If the development is completed as envisioned, by 2051 it would encompass close to 50,000 units and attract a workforce of about 45,000, resulting in a daytime population of approximately 120,000 people. 

“It’s the same size as Guelph,” said Chris Eby, executive vice-president of Northcrest. “We will be a mid-sized Ontario city, if you like,” he added. “We’re really talking about a city within a city.”