Heywood

In 2077, Heywood is seen as a district of complete contrasts. The north borders the City Center and is where you'll find lush parks and modern skyscrapers towering high above. However further south, the district changes drastically, with dangerous and unwelcoming slum-like areas dominating the urban landscape. The Valentinos and 6th Street gangs have control over this district, and are constantly fighting for it, though if you keep your head low they won't bother you, usually. Known by the locals as "the biggest bedroom in Night City," Heywood houses more people than any other portion of the city. The richer parts of Heywood are primarily occupied by corporate types, while the rest are just happy they get to live in Heywood.
Wellsprings, the safest part of Heywood, is full of working stiffs and underpaid corporate employees, being one of the most touristic destinations of the district. The Glen is the state-owned sub-district, with the city hall, justice court, and a large NCPD presence. Vista del Rey is the poorest part of the district, being heavily underinvested, crime-ridden, and slowly descending further into chaos, with many residents moving to other locations and more gang members moving into the empty void.

History

Heywood’s history is one marked by survival, transformation, and ongoing struggle—a district born from hardship and shaped by the people who lived through it.
In the aftermath of the Fourth Corporate War, the fallout from the conflict devastated northern districts of Night City, forcing large numbers of refugees to flee southward. Many settled in the industrial outskirts of what was then called South Night City, a gritty area that rapidly overflowed with tents and temporary shelters. This influx, combined with the breakdown of public services, pushed the area into chaos during the Time of the Red, turning it into a violent Combat Zone ruled by gang warfare and desperation. While the original Heywood was situated southeast of this zone, divided between the impoverished Santo Domingo and the wealthier North Heywood, tensions between these two areas gradually escalated.
As South Night City declined, a group known as the reclaimers stepped in. These determined residents began working to restore order and rebuild infrastructure. Their efforts bore fruit—so much so that North Heywood residents, seeing the improved homes and cleaner streets, migrated into the reclaimed zone. In doing so, they pushed out the very reclaimers who had made it livable. Taking over, these new residents rebranded the district as Heywood, asserting that the name reflected their identity more than any specific geographic location.
By the 2070s, after the Unification War, Heywood had become a district defined by stark contrast. Its northern areas, which bordered the gleaming towers of City Center, featured modern architecture, manicured parks, and essential public services. The Glen emerged as the district's symbolic heart—home to landmarks like Reconciliation Park and City Hall, showcasing civic pride and stability. However, the farther south or east one traveled, the clearer the disparities became. Wellsprings, located in the west, encapsulated this tension perfectly. Its proximity to City Center gave it relatively secure housing and waterfront attractions that catered to tourists and middle-class residents. Yet moving further inland, remnants of the old South Night City became visible in the form of deteriorating buildings and aging infrastructure.
The most marginalized area of Heywood was Vista del Rey, located to the east. Crime and poverty were rampant, and tensions with the wealthier neighborhoods to its north and west often threatened to spill into open violence. It was widely anticipated that corporations would eventually intervene to "gentrify" the area under the pretense of civic improvement.
In the years leading up to 2077, Heywood’s situation remained largely unchanged, though it became increasingly marked by the violent gang conflict between the Valentinos and the 6th Street gang, both vying for dominance over Vista del Rey. While the Valentinos were heavily involved in illicit activities, they maintained a complicated relationship with the community. Known for their code of honor, they often refrained from targeting local residents and occasionally helped disoriented tourists navigate their way back to safer areas.
Despite its rough edges, Heywood possessed a unique character. It was filled with life, culture, and diversity—especially from the strong Latino presence, though people from many backgrounds called it home. From upscale seafood restaurants and boutique shops along the waterfront to vibrant street markets and food stalls in the inner neighborhoods, Heywood offered a microcosm of Night City's broader social spectrum. At its core, it was a bedroom district, providing various forms of housing: from luxury high-rises and orderly low-row homes to dense megabuildings and modest dwellings. In a city shaped by inequality and power struggles, Heywood stood as a place where many could still find a place to live, if not always to thrive.

Type

District