Huge condos transforming the vibe of Toronto's Yonge-Dundas intersection

Toronto's answer to Times Square is gradually starting to feel a bit more Manhattanized, as enormous condo towers continue to enclose the skies surrounding the bustling Yonge and Dundas intersection.

The busy Sankofa (formerly Yonge-Dundas) Square has established itself as one of Toronto's must-see attractions, bathed in the glow of illuminated signage and glittering marquees. But there's always been one "big city" thing missing from the intersection considered the beating heart of downtown Toronto — skyscrapers.

That is quickly changing as new developments rise around the busy intersection, including a pair of nearby additions that are rapidly transforming the feel of the corner.

Just a couple of blocks north of the intersection, two significant condo developments are already reshaping the skyline seen from Sankofa Square.

At the southeast corner of Yonge and Gerrard, the sky-scraping Concord Sky development is well on its way to a final height of just over 300 metres — which would earn it the title of Canada's third-tallest building if completed today.

The 85-storey mixed-use tower's impact is already being felt from the Yonge-Dundas intersection, and will grow more prominent from this high-traffic location in the months to come as it continues to ascend.

Just steps to the south on the opposite side of Yonge Street, the towering 8 Elm development is quickly rising towards a height of just over 218 metres.

While it won't land itself among the city's tallest buildings, the 69-storey tower's position just north of Yonge and Dundas will make it one of the most prominent skyline presences from within Sankofa Square.

These two towers are only the latest additions in the blocks surrounding the square, and there's plenty more on the way too.

A 21-storey residential tower is planned just steps east of Sankofa Square at the former site of the Imperial Pub, while another sky-scraping trio of towers — including what would be one of Canada's tallest buildings — is proposed for the College Park complex a short few blocks to the north.

Other potential future redevelopments could further change the feel of the intersection, most notably a proposed 67-storey rental tower planned at 241 Yonge St., just steps south of the square.