Bonn Square is one of the few public spaces in the centre of Oxford, and is located within the historic core of the city, not far from the Castle and within the line of the medieval city walls. As part of the ongoing regeneration of the West End, the transformation of Bonn Square into a dynamic public space, which also respects and enhances the history of the square and its historic setting, was one of the most important tasks facing the West End Partnership.

The proposed redevelopment of Bonn Square received planning permission from Oxford City Council in June 2006. The work was undertaken by Graeme Massie Architects, following a design competition to transform the square from a neglected and run-down area to a welcoming, modern and flexible public space. The scheme was defined by four key components: a variegated sandstone surface which unifies the space and establishes a relationship with the material fabric of Oxford; a central ramped area which accommodates the archaeological remains of the St Peter-le-Bailey church and its deconsecrated burial grounds; a grove of Robinia Pseudoacacia trees - commonly found in university college gardens - which shades a collection of bronze street furniture; and four 15 metre high bronze lighting columns which act as a landmark within the cityscape and facilitate the modification of the square’s character through light level and colour.

Bonn Square was reopened to the public in November 2008 and is now a thriving, flexible space which complements the recently redeveloped Queen Street and New Inn Hall Street, and the proposed redevelopment of St Ebbe's Street. The Square successfully incorporates historic elements, such as the 1898 Grade II listed Tirah Memorial, whilst providing a much-used public space for visitors and workers, a venue for civic events and an attractive backdrop to the life of the city.

The £2m scheme received an Oxford Preservation Trust Environmental Award in October 2009 and a second OPT award was presented to artist Diana Bell for her sculpture 'Knowledge, Understanding, Friendship, Trust: Wissen, Verständigung, Freundschaft, Vertrauen', which was commissioned as a gift from the city of Bonn to Oxford. The sculpture consists of stacks of books - the tallest of which stands at 1.2 metres - which have been cast in bronze from real books then placed on benches around the square.

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