The Beast has invaded Downsview

Controversial YouTube star is filming a mega reality show on the former airport lands

- OMAR MOSLEH AND FRANCINE KOPUN

A large cement tower facing a dozen houses is being built for "Beast Games," which will pit 1,000 contestants against one another for a $5-million (U.S.) prize. The reality show is the creation of Jimmy Donaldson, left, better known as MrBeast, whose oddball challenges with large cash prizes have made him one of the platform's most successful creators, with 312 million subscribers.

Behind a sprawling red wall of shipping containers, a new development seems to be taking shape at the former Downsview Airport site in North York, featuring a tower and a collection of bungalows.

The faux palm trees give it away — the buildings are part of a set for a reality television show by Jimmy Donaldson, the controversial YouTube star better known as MrBeast, whose oddball challenges with large cash prizes have made him one of the platform’s most successful creators, with 312 million subscribers.

He has 90 million followers on TikTok.

“Beast Games” is being shot for Prime Video and will pit 1,000 contestants against one another for a $5-million (U.S.) prize, which Amazon Prime is calling the biggest single prize in the history of television and streaming.