Sankofa Square
Sankofa Square | |
|---|---|
| Public square | |
| Former name: Yonge–Dundas Square (2002-2025) | |
The square in 2023 | |
| Features | Concert stage; splash water features |
| Design | Brown and Storey Architects |
| Construction | 1998–2002 |
| Opening date | 2002 |
| Amenities | Shopping centre, food and beverage, subway |
| Area | 0.40 hectares (1 acre) |
| Surface | Granite |
| Owner | City of Toronto |
| Manager | Sankofa Square Board of Management |
| Location | 1 Dundas Street East Toronto, Ontario M5B 2R8 |
Sankofa Square | |
| Coordinates: 43°39′22″N 79°22′49″W / 43.65611°N 79.38028°W | |
| Website | https://www.sankofasquare.ca |
Sankofa Square (formerly Yonge–Dundas Square) is a public square and outdoor venue at the southeast corner of the intersection of Yonge Street and Dundas Street East within the Garden District in the downtown core of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The square was conceived in 1997 as part of a revitalization of the intersection and the stretch of Yonge Street. Since its completion in 2002, the square has held many public events, performances and art displays, establishing itself as a prominent landmark in Toronto and one of the city's prime tourist attractions.
Surrounding the square are other major landmarks, including the Toronto Eaton Centre, Ed Mirvish Theatre, and the 33 Dundas Street East building. The square is accessible from the Toronto subway at TMU station and is connected to 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.
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. The intersection is one of the busiest in Canada, with over 100,000 people crossing the city's first pedestrian scramble daily.