Yonge-Dundas Square - History

History

The site is bordered on the north by Dundas Street, on the east by Victoria Street, and on the west by Yonge Street. A former street named Dundas Square (previously Wilton Street) forms the southern boundary. Dundas Street, an east–west street through Downtown Toronto, was constructed by connecting pre-existing streets. From the west, Agnes Street intersected at Yonge Street at the present Dundas Street intersection, but did not continue east. From the east, Wilton Street connected to Yonge Street approximately 100 metres to the south. In the 20th century, Dundas Street was extended east from the Agnes Street intersection to meet with Wilton Street at Victoria Street, by building a curved road east, then southeast, to intersect with Wilton. Wilton was renamed Dundas Street East, and the section of Wilton west of Victoria Street was renamed Dundas Square. Stores south of the new Dundas intersection, not in the way of the roadway, remained.

In 1998, as part of its Yonge Street Regeneration Project, Toronto City Council approved the 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, an association of local businesses. This effort was spearheaded by Councillor Kyle Rae, Robert Sniderman of the Senator Restaurant, and Arron Barberian of Barberian's Steak House. In late 2007, the 10 Dundas East (formerly Metropolis and Toronto Life Square) entertainment complex opened across the street from the square.

Designed by Brown + Storey Architects, the square was intended as a new public space in Toronto, somewhat akin to Nathan Phillips Square, designed by Viljo Revell for New City Hall. Unlike Nathan Phillips Square, however, Yonge-Dundas Square is operated as a commercial venture, with a separate Board of Management. The site is owned by the City 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.

Some claim that the intersection is the busiest in Canada, with over 56 million people passing through annually. It is sometimes nicknamed Toronto's Times Square, as development is cited as modelling New York's Times Square, Tokyo's Shibuya district, and London's Piccadilly Circus. To ease traffic, a pedestrian scramble has been installed.