Berlin's LGBTQ+ housing project overcomes delays to open inclusive community hub

**With great dedication and determination, the cooperative Blue Island has successfully implemented its residential project at Südkreuz station in Tempelhof-Schöneberg, creating 50 new apartments despite significant obstacles. Adjacent to it is another, unusual residential project, the 'Lifestyle Diversity'.**

*The 'Lifestyle Diversity II', a project of the Schwulenberatung Berlin, has emerged in a seven-story new building and offers space for 70 barrier-free apartments. / © Photo: our website BERLIN*

*© Photos: our website BERLIN**Text: Björn Leffler*

On the vast construction site of the 'Schöneberger Linse', several commercial projects and a number of residential projects have emerged over the years, such as the 'Stadtquartier Südkreuz' project by the US real estate company Hines or the **model project 'Expansion House', which was created according to a sustainable concept by the office Praeger Richter Architects**. The company Hines plans to build another residential and commercial quarter on a currently completely undeveloped plot, with a further 210 apartments planned. Two other, much smaller residential construction projects in the immediate vicinity of Südkreuz station have already been completed.

Berlin Südkreuz: Wohnprojekt der Genossenschaft 'Blaue Insel' ist fertig

The latest project has been completed by the **cooperative Blue Island**, against many resistances and with an unusually high degree of commitment and self-initiative, as reported by the Berliner Morgenpost. The Berlin Senate had already awarded the plot to the cooperative project in 2016, which was responsible for the planning and construction on the plot.

Despite an initial approval by the main committee, there was a six-month sales stop, the reason for which remained unclear to the cooperative. After the sales were finally completed, the project fell into crisis due to lack of financing and planning changes.

Sales stop, lack of funding, inflation: The residential project had to overcome numerous hurdles

The cooperative members then took over the project management on a voluntary basis. Problems with the promised cooperative funding and delays led to additional costs. Due to inflation and the Ukraine war, construction costs continued to rise, putting a significant strain on the cooperative.

Construction began in 2021, but was further hindered by changed fire protection regulations and other construction obstacles. Despite these challenges, the apartments could be occupied, and some commercial spaces on the ground floor have already been rented. However, financial uncertainties remain, and the final relief will only come when all outstanding invoices have been settled.

'Blaue Insel': 50 new, affordable apartments have been created at Südkreuz

Despite the numerous challenges, all 50 new apartments have now been occupied, including 37 cooperative apartments and 13 social housing apartments. Some commercial businesses have already moved into the ground floor, although construction work is still ongoing. Only one commercial space is currently available.

In direct vicinity, in the same building block, there is another, unusual residential project. The **Schwulenberatung Berlin gGmbH** has realized a cross-generational and intercultural, communal living and care project in recent years.

Schwulenberatung Berlin has realized the project 'Lifestyle Diversity'

The 'Lifestyle Diversity II' is located in a seven-story new building and offers space for 70 barrier-free apartments. Among them is a care community with eight places, which offers spacious communal rooms and various 'quartier-open offers', as the provider itself reports. In the planning and implementation of the project, the responsible Schwulenberatung Berlin was able to draw on its experience with the already over ten-year-old 'Lifestyle Diversity' at the Charlottenburg location. At the Südkreuz project, a particular focus was placed on enabling encounters between generations and cultures. The housing offer is primarily aimed at single gay seniors, but also at older lesbian women, trans and inter people, and younger LSBTI individuals. Depending on the level of support needed, tenants can access services such as home care, therapeutic support, and social counseling. Additionally, a day center for LSBTI people with mental health challenges has been established.

***More project images can be found here:***

Project with many obstacles overcome: Despite numerous challenges, all 50 newly built apartments of the Blue Island cooperative have been occupied, including 37 cooperative apartments and 13 social housing units. / © Photo: our website BERLIN

© Photo: our website BERLIN

© Photo: our website BERLIN

*Sources: Berliner Morgenpost, Hines, Praeger Richter Architects, Blue Island Cooperative, Schwulenberatung Berlin gGmbH*