Yonge–Dundas Square

2025-06-20T06:08:20Z

2605:8D80:1396:90DD:696F:FE20:C7DD:9065: Undid revision 1296469788 by 2605:8D80:1396:90DD:696F:FE20:C7DD:9065 (talk)

{{Short description|Public square in Toronto}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox urban feature
|name=Sankofa Square
|image_place=Ribfest at Dundas Square on May 21, 2022.jpg
|image_caption= Sankofa Square in 2022, hosting Ribfest
|nickname=Dundas Square, YD Square, Yonge–Dundas
|area={{Convert|1|acre|ha|order=flip}}<ref name="yd-about">{{cite web |publisher=Yonge–Dundas Square |url=http://www.ydsquare.ca/all-about-the-square/who-designed-the-square-all-about-the-design.html |title=Who Designed The Square? (All About The Design) |access-date=February 23, 2014}}</ref>
|surface=[[Granite]]<ref name="yd-about"/>
|features=Concert stage; splash water features
|amenities=Live theatre box office, washrooms, underground parking, subway
|pushpin_map=Canada Toronto
|pushpin_map_caption=Location of Sankofa Square in Toronto
|location=1 Dundas Street East<br />[[Toronto]], [[Ontario]]<br />M5B 2R8
|owner=[[City of Toronto|Municipal government of Toronto]]
|coordinates = {{coord|43|39|22|N|79|22|49|W|type:landmark_region:CA-ON|display=inline,title}}
|place_type=[[Public square]]
|construction=1998–2002
|open=2002
|height=
|manager=Sankofa Square Board of Management
|designer=Brown and Storey Architects
|website={{URL|https://www.sankofasquare.ca/}}
}}

'''Sankofa Square''', formerly known as '''Yonge-Dundas Square''', is a [[town square|public square]] at the southeast corner of the intersection of [[Yonge Street]] and [[Dundas Street (Toronto)|Dundas Street East]] in the [[Downtown Toronto|downtown core]] of [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada.

Designed by Brown and Storey Architects, the square was conceived in 1997 as part of revitalizing the intersection.<ref name="redesign">{{cite news| url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/421691381.html?dids=421691381:421691381&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+18,+2002&author=&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=Dundas+Square+coming+to+life+;+Decaying+strip+redesigned+with+rich+granite,+fibre-optic+lights&pqatl=google| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102143408/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/421691381.html?dids=421691381:421691381&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+18,+2002&author=&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=Dundas+Square+coming+to+life+;+Decaying+strip+redesigned+with+rich+granite,+fibre-optic+lights&pqatl=google| url-status=dead| archive-date=November 2, 2012| title=Dundas Square coming to life ; Decaying strip redesigned with rich granite, fibre-optic lights| work=[[Toronto Star]]| date=March 18, 2002| access-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref><ref name="hume">{{cite news| url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/421053991.html?dids=421053991:421053991&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+16,+2003&author=Christopher+Hume&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=Toronto+march+boosts+Dundas+Square&pqatl=google| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102143419/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/421053991.html?dids=421053991:421053991&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+16,+2003&author=Christopher+Hume&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=Toronto+march+boosts+Dundas+Square&pqatl=google| url-status=dead| archive-date=November 2, 2012| title=Toronto march boosts Dundas Square| first=Christopher| last=Hume| work=Toronto Star| date=February 16, 2003| access-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref> Since its completion in 2002, the square has hosted many public events, performances and art displays, establishing itself as a prominent landmark in [[Toronto]] and one of the city's prime tourist attractions. Central to the [[Downtown Yonge]] entertainment and shopping district, the square is owned by the city and is the first public square in Canada to be maintained through a [[public–private partnership]].<ref name="board">{{cite web| url=http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=c819a754725b3410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=56e88ae46aa44410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&vgnextfmt=default| title=Yonge–Dundas Square Board of Management| publisher=City of Toronto: Agencies, Boards, Commissions and Corporations| access-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref> The intersection is one of the busiest in Canada, with over 100,000 people crossing the city's first [[pedestrian scramble]] daily.<ref name="ydsquare">{{cite web| url=http://www.ydsquare.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22&Itemid=27| title=Visit Yonge–Dundas Square| publisher=Yonge–Dundas Square| access-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref><ref name="review">{{cite news| url=http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110908/110908_pedestrian_scramble/20110908/?hub=CP24Home| title=Yonge–Dundas pedestrian scramble under review| work=[[CP24]]| date=September 8, 2011| access-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref><ref name="learn">{{cite news| title=Pedestrians Learn to Scramble at Yonge & Dundas| url=http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/08/pedestrians_learn_to_scramble_at_yonge_dundas/| date=August 28, 2008| last=Cullman| first=Roger| work=BlogTO| access-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref>

Surrounding the square are other major landmarks, including the [[Toronto Eaton Centre]], [[Ed Mirvish Theatre]], and the [[Citytv]] building. The square is accessible from the [[Toronto subway]] at [[Dundas station (Toronto)|Dundas station]] and is connected to [[Path (Toronto)|Path]], Toronto's underground pedestrian walkway. The square is continuously illuminated by large billboard screens and corporate logos, which has led to comparison of the square with [[Times Square]] in [[New York City]], [[Shibuya Crossing]] in Tokyo, and [[Piccadilly Circus]] in [[London]].<ref name=moran>{{cite news| url=http://digitaljournal.com/article/279416| title=Op-Ed: Toronto's Version of Times Square - Yonge–Dundas Square| last=Moran| first=Andrew| date=September 18, 2008| access-date=May 12, 2014| work=Digital Journal}}</ref><ref name=rao>{{cite web| url=http://electronicdisplaycentral.com/index.php/channel/8/id/810| work=ElectronicDisplayCentral.com| title=Tower Power| last=Rao| first=Anna| date=April 20, 2005| access-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Dundas Square, Yonge Street 1979 (1).jpg|thumb|left|Looking north along Yonge Street at the Dundasquare building, which was situated on the present-day square in 1979. The building was demolished in 1998.]]
In 1998, as part of its Yonge Street Regeneration Project, [[Toronto City Council]] approved the [[Eminent domain|expropriation]] and demolition of the buildings on the site and the construction of Yonge–Dundas Square. The square is a joint project of the city, residents, the McGill Granby Association, the Downtown Yonge Business, and Resident Association, and the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area,<ref name=about>{{cite web| title=About| url=http://www.downtownyonge.com/about/index.html| publisher=Downtown Yonge| access-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref> an association of local businesses. This effort was conceived and spearheaded by Arron Barberian of [[Barberian's Steak House]], Robert Sniderman of the Senator Restaurant and Councillor [[Kyle Rae]]. Ron Soskolne was retained in 1995 to head up the planning of the regeneration project, and went on to become the chair of the Board of Management for the first decade of the square's operation. Designed by Brown and Storey Architects, the square was intended as a new [[public space]] in Toronto, somewhat akin to [[Nathan Phillips Square]], designed by [[Viljo Revell]] for [[Toronto City Hall|New City Hall]].

In 1999, the square's design received the Award of Excellence for significant building in the design stage by the ''Canadian Architect'' magazine, in recognition of it being an outstanding example of [[contemporary architecture]]. The next year, ''Architecture'' magazine commended the square as a new form of urban space with great presence ... pushes the limits of invention and originality.

Unlike Nathan Phillips Square, however, Yonge–Dundas Square is operated by a separate [[Board of Management]]. The site is owned by the City of Toronto and administered by a Board of Management. The board of management for Yonge–Dundas Square was established in 2001, and is the first [[public–private partnership in Canada]] to operate a public square.<ref name=board /> In 2006, the square's [[Wi-Fi]] [[hotspot (Wi-Fi)|hotspot]], set up by [[Wireless Toronto]], was voted the best in the city.<ref name=now>{{cite news|url=http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=156214&archive=26,8,2006 |title=Best of Toronto: Tech |date=October 26, 2006 |work=[[Now (newspaper)|Now]] |access-date=May 12, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512223857/http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=156214&archive=26,8,2006 |archive-date=May 12, 2014 }}</ref>

Some claim that the intersection is the busiest in Canada, with over 56 million people passing through annually. The square's development is cited as modeling New York's [[Times Square]], Tokyo's [[Shibuya, Tokyo|Shibuya]] district, and London's [[Piccadilly Circus]]. To manage the volume of pedestrians, a [[pedestrian scramble]] was installed in August 2008.<ref name=spears>{{cite news| url=https://www.thestar.com/news/2008/08/28/pedestrians_first_at_yonge_and_dundas.html| title=Pedestrians first at Yonge and Dundas| last=Spears| first=John| date=August 28, 2008| work=Toronto Star| access-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref>
[[File:Proud Mounties 2014.jpg|thumb|Pride festivities at the northern end of the square, 2014. The square hosted the closing ceremonies for [[WorldPride]] in 2014.]]
The square frequently serves as a venue for public events connected to the city's cultural festivals, including [[NXNE]], the [[Toronto International Film Festival]], [[Luminato Festival|Luminato]], [[Nuit blanche]] and [[Pride Week (Toronto)|Pride Week]]. On June 29, 2014, the square hosted the official closing ceremonies of [[WorldPride]].<ref>[http://dailyxtra.com/toronto/news/tegan-and-sara-close-worldpride-toronto-with-bang "Tegan and Sara close WorldPride Toronto with a bang"]. ''[[Xtra!]]'', June 30, 2014.</ref>

The square is property of the City of Toronto and is regulated by Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 636: Public Squares. These regulations govern activities in the square and the use of the property. As of April 2014, smoking is prohibited on the entire property of the square.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/municode/1184_636.pdf|title=Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 636, Public Squares|publisher=City of Toronto|date=June 12, 2015|access-date=January 16, 2016}}</ref>

In the wake of the [[George Floyd]] race protests and social unrest, controversy arose over the namesake of Dundas Street, [[Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville]], whose amendments to [[Wilberforce Colony|Wilberforce]]'s abolitionist parliamentary motions ensured the support required in both the [[House of Commons]] and [[House of Lords]] for the [[British Empire]] to ultimately vote to abolish slavery with the [[Slave Trade Act 1807]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=McCarthy |first=Angela |date=August 2023 |title=Henry Dundas and Abolition of the British Slave Trade: Further Evidence |url=https://www.euppublishing.com/doi/10.3366/scot.2023.0467 |journal=Scottish Affairs |volume=32 |issue=3 |pages=334–346|doi=10.3366/scot.2023.0467 |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=McCarthy |first=Angela |date=2022-07-29 |title=Historians, Activists and Britain's Slave Trade Abolition Debate: The Henry Dundas Plaque Debacle |url=https://www.euppublishing.com/doi/10.3366/scot.2022.0420 |journal=Scottish Affairs |volume=31 |issue=3 |pages=325–344 |language=en |doi=10.3366/scot.2022.0420|s2cid=251189142 |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name=":42">{{Cite web |date=June 29, 2021 |title=Recognition Review Project Update and Response to the Dundas Street Renaming Petition |url=https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-168523.pdf |access-date=June 29, 2021|website=[[Toronto City Council]]}}</ref>

[[Toronto City Council]] voted in 2021 to rename Dundas Street and other civic assets named after Dundas, such as Yonge–Dundas Square.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2021|title=Toronto city council votes to rename Dundas street, other amenities with same name|url=https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/toronto-city-council-votes-to-rename-dundas-street-other-amenities-with-same-name-1.5509387|access-date=July 14, 2021|website=CTV News|language=en}}</ref> A new name was to be chosen by April 2022;<ref name=":0" /> however, it took until December 2023 for City Council to approve the new name of ''Sankofa Square'', after a [[Ghanaian]] term referring to the act of reflecting on and reclaiming teachings from the past,<ref name="Sankofa">{{cite news |last1=Bowden |first1=Olivia |title=Toronto's Yonge–Dundas square is being renamed. Here's what it'll be called — and why |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/dundas-square-rename-toronto-1.7060097 |access-date=December 15, 2023 |agency=CBC News |date=December 14, 2023}}</ref> adopted from the [[Akan people]]. Citing costs, Toronto ultimately decided to keep Dundas' name for the street but to rename Yonge–Dundas Square, the [[Dundas station (Toronto)|Dundas]] and [[Dundas West station|Dundas West]] subway stations, and the Jane–Dundas Public Library.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 15, 2023 |title=Toronto changes course on name change for Dundas Street |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/toronto/article-toronto-changes-course-on-name-change-for-dundas-street/ |access-date=December 17, 2023}}</ref> In May 2025, the TTC board approved a proposal to change Dundas station's name to TMU station. It will be named after the nearby [[Toronto Metropolitan University]], which will fully cover the cost of renaming the station.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/politics/toronto-city-hall/article/dundas-station-to-be-renamed-tmu-station-ttc-board/|title=Dundas Station to be renamed TMU Station: TTC board|website=[[CTV News]]|date=May 14, 2025|access-date=May 14, 2025}}</ref>

==Design==
{{refimprove|section|date=May 2025}}
The site is bordered on the north by Dundas Street, on the east by Victoria Street, and on the west by Yonge Street, and on the south by a street named Dundas Square. Dundas Street; an east–west street extended east through Downtown Toronto from near its original eastern terminus near [[Ossington Avenue]] by connecting several pre-existing streets: From the west, Agnes Street met Yonge Street at a T-intersection at the present Dundas Street intersection, while from the east, Wilton Street terminated at Yonge approximately 100 metres to the south. In the early 20th century, Dundas was extended east from the Agnes/Yonge Streets intersection to meet with Wilton Street at Victoria Street, by building a link east and southeast to interline with Wilton; creating the present Dundas Street. The cut off section of Wilton from Yonge to Victoria was renamed Dundas Square.

The square is on a slight incline, which architects Brown and Storey have said was intended to evoke a theatrical stage. It is made with modular raised square textured {{convert|35.125|by|35.125|in|mm}} [[granite]] slabs (each slab costing approximately $1,500: $1,000 materials plus $500 labour), features a diagonally running [[zinc]] canopy along the northern hypotenuse of the "square", a movable [[plinth]] which serves as a stage for concerts and other performances, a row of lighted fountains set directly into the pavement, a row of small trees along the southern edge, a transparent canopy over the plinth, and a new entrance to [[Dundas (TTC)|Dundas subway station]] below. A series of low, circular stone planters was added to the western side of the square in the summer of 2005.

The square is not square-shaped, but an irregular pentagon. This angled northeastern side of the square is known as the hypotenuse, which features a structure supported by 11 round concrete pillars. This creates an industrial urban aesthetic, which, being to the north, casts no shadows on the rest of the space. The other three sides are square (i.e., at right angles to one another and to Yonge and Dundas Streets). As well, Dundas Square (the street) forms the square's southern boundary, running between Yonge and Victoria Streets.

{{Panorama
| image = Yonge-Dundas Square 2023.jpg
| alt = A 180-degree panoramic view taken from the centre of the square.
| fullwidth = 15,727
| fullheight = 1,931
| caption = {{center|A 180-degree panoramic view of the then-Yonge–Dundas Square in mid-2023 }}
| height = 250
}}

===Features===
The surface of Yonge–Dundas Square is not level; it is sloped upward away from Yonge Street to allow enough height to provide clearance for the [[Toronto Parking Authority]] garage entrance. The architects planned the slope of the surface to make it interesting and to accommodate the necessary clearances for what lies underneath. Level P1 houses the washrooms and changerooms, a [[green room]] for stage performers, and various utilities rooms, custodial and supply closets, and the [[water treatment]] plant and pump rooms for the fountains.

[[File:Bebedourotoronto.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The square features two public drinking fountains.]]
At the southeast and southwest corners of Yonge–Dundas Square are drinking water fountains. The [[fountain|water fountain]] on the southwest corner (nearest to Yonge Street) is known for its large, cool stream of water that flows down the fountain to drains in the ground. The stream produced by the other fountain is warmer and flows less copiously. On the other hand, the fountain nearest Yonge street is also near a protrusion in the ground that has become a popular seat.

====Fountains====
The centrepiece of the square is the array of fountains designed by [[Dan Euser]] of Waterarchitecture. Two rows of ten fountains are spread out across the square's main walkway so that visitors have the opportunity to walk through or around the fountains. Unlike many other city fountains, the Yonge–Dundas Square fountains were meant for waterplay and include a sophisticated filtration system that (according to both of the architects) keeps the water at or above "pool quality" water. According to Euser, the water is treated to maintain health standards for waterplay. According to facility administrator Christine MacLean, the granite that was chosen for the entire space has non-slip properties for the safety of those running through or playing in the fountains. Each of the 10 water fountains consists of a [[stainless steel]] grille with 30 ground nozzles (arranged in three rows of 10) under it.

The entire rock surface is of a very dark (almost black) colour and effectively absorbs sunlight, thus creating a warm surface on which to rest. The water runs under the dark rock slabs and is thus heated by them, so that the fountain water is solar heated. Three curved lighting masts along the south edge of the square, made of [[hollow structural steel]], have a high-gloss white finish that contrasts with the rough non-slip texture of the black granite, and each support six mercury vapour [[arc lamp]]s that create evening light that comes from approximately the same directions as natural sunlight does during the day (i.e., from various southerly directions).
[[File:Yonge-Dundas Square Fountains - Urban beach - 135u.jpg|thumb|600 ground nozzles are spread out in 20 groups across the square's main walkway]]
The fountains comprise a dynamic [[Installation art|art installation]] and water sculpture in which the 600 water jets are programmed to vary, dynamically, over time. The fountains usually operate 24 hours a day. Other than the aquatic play area in front of the [[Ontario Science Centre]] (the centrepiece of Teluscape), Dundas Square is Toronto's only 24-hour waterplay area, open all day and night except during special events, maintenance, and other exceptions. The fountains usually run from around mid-April to the end of October, making this one of two aquatic play areas in Toronto that opens very early in the season and closes very late in the season.

To reduce costs, only the middle channel (the middle 10 nozzles of each fountain) can be animated, but the outer two channels can still be globally controlled. The outer two channels are often used to set a background (pedestal) level while the middle channel animates, typically for eight-second intervals. The directionality imposed by the middle channel's sequencer encourages bathers to run west rather than east. Moreover, the sequencer makes the bathing experience optimal for joggers who run west at exactly 20 km/h.

Architects Brown and Storey, fountain creator Dan Euser, the firm that initiated the bidding, former Councillor Kyle Rae, and the management of Yonge–Dundas Square have all confirmed that waterplay was one of the intended uses of the space. The fountains are intended to appeal to children and adults, and there is evidence that has been realized.<ref name=flip>{{cite web|url=http://quirkynomads.com/wpt/2004/08/11/lets-flip-a-coin-part-2/ |title=Let's Flip a Coin (Part 2) |access-date=October 5, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217232731/http://quirkynomads.com/wpt/2004/08/11/lets-flip-a-coin-part-2/ |archive-date=December 17, 2007}}</ref>

Because many people drink from the ground spray nozzles (some people even fill up [[water bottle]]s from the ground sprays),{{citation needed|date=June 2016}} and since waterplay is one of the intended uses, the water is tested daily, between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., by the Toronto health department.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}} The water is treated with [[bromine]], which many bathers prefer to [[chlorine]]. There are three separate water treatment facilities, one for each group of ten westmost nozzles in each grille (200 nozzles total), another for the middle row of ten in each grille, and a third for all of the eastmost nozzles. The water that runs into the grilles travels west, under the raised floor of the Yonge–Dundas Square slabs, to the treatment facility under the west end of the waterplay area.

===Surrounding buildings===
[[File:June 2012 Toronto Yonge Dundas Square Looking West on Dundas (7405247918).jpg|left|thumb|View of the [[Eaton's Centre]] to the west, and [[The Tenor]] to the north of the square. A media tower is located to the northwest of the square.]]
Yonge–Dundas Square is located within Downtown Yonge [[Business improvement district|Business Improvement Area]] (BIA). Other projects in the area include the redevelopment of the [[Toronto Eaton Centre|Eaton Centre]], the construction of a new retail and [[movie theater|cinema]] complex to the north in 2007, called [[The Tenor]] (formerly ''10 Dundas East'', then ''Toronto Life Square'' and originally the ''Metropolis development project''), and the opening of [[33 Dundas Street East]] to the southeast (on the corner of Victoria and Dundas), which used to be the home of [[Olympic Spirit Toronto]]. On October 22, 2007, [[Rogers Media]] announced that it would buy this building as a new home for its [[Citytv]] and [[Omni Television]] stations.<ref name=hartley>{{cite news| url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/city-tv-gets-a-new-toronto-home/article1084918/| title=CITY-TV gets a new Toronto home| first=Matt| last=Hartley| work=[[The Globe and Mail]]| date=October 23, 2007| access-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref> This new studio space is now operational.

A "media tower" – a scaffold for billboards, operated by [[Branded Cities]] – has been constructed on the northwest corner of Yonge and Dundas. It is advertised as the tallest media tower in the world.<ref name="tourism">{{cite web|url=https://www.citysightseeingtoronto.com/pdf/CSSTO.pdf|title=Tourism brochure|publisher=City Sight Seeing Toronto|access-date=January 16, 2016}}</ref> Another large media tower, complete with a video screen, is a major feature of the Rogers Media building on the southeast corner of Dundas Square; the video screen usually shows the CITY-TV broadcast. The building that was home to the [[Hard Rock Cafe]] (now a [[Shoppers Drug Mart]]) on the southwest corner of the square originally features a series of billboards, but these were replaced by a large video screen in 2017. The introduction of the imposing media tower, screens, and brightly illuminated advertising billboards has been too great a sacrifice for some area residents, who feel a loss of the neighbourhood's identity and character (see "Controversy", below).
[[File:YD CurvedScreen.png|thumb|A curved video screen was installed atop the building south of the square in 2017.]]
The redevelopment of the Eaton Centre and the building at Victoria and Dundas were completed in 2004. Toronto Life Square, formerly known as the Metropolis development, began in January 1999 after the City of Toronto expropriated a number of properties, and a phased opening began in 2007. It was renamed "10 Dundas East" after ''Toronto Life'' magazine's parent company, St. Joseph Communications, sued to have the magazine's name removed from the building.<ref name=friesen>{{cite news| url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/toronto-lifes-logos-are-scrubbed-from-10-dundas-east/article4286275/| title=Toronto Life's logos are scrubbed from 10 Dundas East| first=Joe| last=Friesen| work=Globe and Mail| date=September 21, 2009| access-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref> In 2019, an existing smaller screen and two billboards were replaced by a massive curved video display on the corner of the building facing Yonge and Dundas.

==Criticism==
Criticism ranges from suggestions that the city has missed an opportunity for more [[Green infrastructure|green space]]<ref name="STAR">{{cite news| url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/1010956531.html?dids=1010956531:1010956531&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+28,+2006&author=Jose+Loureno&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=To+be+of+Toronto,+you+must+embrace+the+grey&pqatl=google| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102143752/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/1010956531.html?dids=1010956531:1010956531&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+28,+2006&author=Jose+Loureno&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=To+be+of+Toronto,+you+must+embrace+the+grey&pqatl=google| url-status=dead| archive-date=November 2, 2012| title=To be of Toronto, you must embrace the grey| first=Jose| last=Lourneo| work=Toronto Star| date=March 28, 2006| access-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref> within the downtown core (or that they have missed an opportunity for what some critics consider more interesting architectural elements) to questions of what the true intent behind the ostensibly public square is. The [[Toronto Public Space Committee]] and organizers of Toronto iterations of the [[Reclaim The Streets]] phenomenon often point to the square as an example of what they consider a negative trend in urban planning.
[[File:Yonge–Dundas Square at Night 2022.jpg|thumb|Yonge–Dundas Square at night in 2022]]
The square is surrounded on all sides by gigantic commercial billboards in a redevelopment scheme modeled on New York City's [[Times Square]] or London's [[Piccadilly Circus]].<ref name=maloney>{{cite news| url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/18886565.html?dids=18886565:18886565&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+11,+1996&author=by+Paul+Moloney+TORONTO+STAR&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=Yonge+and+Dundas+could+become+our+Times+Square+Giving+the+city+a+heart+Hotel,+stores,+theatres+in+$150+million+project&pqatl=google| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102143822/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/18886565.html?dids=18886565:18886565&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+11,+1996&author=by+Paul+Moloney+TORONTO+STAR&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=Yonge+and+Dundas+could+become+our+Times+Square+Giving+the+city+a+heart+Hotel,+stores,+theatres+in+$150+million+project&pqatl=google| url-status=dead| archive-date=November 2, 2012| title=Yonge and Dundas could become our Times Square Giving the city a heart Hotel, stores, theatres in $150 million project| first=Paul| last=Moloney| work=Toronto Star| date=December 11, 1996| access-date=May 12, 2014}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Albert Campbell Square]]
* [[Mel Lastman Square]]
* [[Nathan Phillips Square]]
* [[Pecaut Square]]
* [[List of city squares]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Toronto/Yonge-Dundas|Toronto - Yonge–Dundas}}
{{Commons category|Yonge Dundas Square}}
* {{official website|https://www.sankofasquare.ca/}}
* [http://www.brownandstorey.com/projects/dundassquare/T-projectframes.htm Yonge–Dundas Square description at the Brown + Storey Architects website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130402192623/http://tolifestyle.com/post/22275681090/torontos-dundas-square-at-night Dundas Square Gallery]
* [http://www.year01.com/archive/transmedia2959 Transmedia:29:59 - urban screen art project, Dundas Square]

{{Toronto landmarks}}
{{Parks and squares in Toronto}}

[[Category:Squares in Toronto]]
[[Category:Music venues in Toronto]]
[[Category:Path (Toronto)]]
[[Category:Shopping districts and streets in Canada]]
[[Category:Festival venues in Canada]]

wiki143 - User contributions [en]

Yonge–Dundas Square