Berlin's Blue Island Opens as a Beacon of Inclusive LSBTI Housing Near Südkreuz

A new residential project called Blue Island has opened near Südkreuz station in Tempelhof-Schöneberg. The development offers 50 apartments and marks a step forward in inclusive housing for Berlin's LSBTI community. Despite financial hurdles, the cooperative behind it pushed the project to completion with the help of volunteers.

Adjacent to it, Lifestyle Diversity II has also taken shape, providing 70 barrier-free homes and specialised care services. The area continues to grow, with further construction planned by international developers.

The Blue Island project faced major setbacks from the start. A six-month halt in sales, soaring construction costs, and financing shortages—worsened by inflation and the Ukraine war—threatened its progress. To keep things moving, cooperative members took on project management roles voluntarily.

The completed site now includes 37 cooperative apartments, 13 social housing units, and ground-floor commercial spaces, some of which are already leased. The focus lies on fostering connections across generations and cultures, particularly for single gay seniors, older lesbian women, trans and inter individuals, and younger LSBTI people.

Next door, Lifestyle Diversity II—led by Schwulenberatung Berlin—offers 70 fully accessible apartments. Eight of these form a care community, while tenants can access home care, therapy, and social counselling. A dedicated day centre also supports LSBTI individuals dealing with mental health challenges.

Beyond these two projects, the area has seen smaller developments completed nearby. Meanwhile, US firm Hines plans a new mixed-use quarter on an empty plot, adding another 210 apartments to the neighbourhood. Exact figures on the total number of new homes built since the Schöneberger Linsen site's development began remain unclear from available data.

The Blue Island and Lifestyle Diversity II projects now provide tailored housing for Berlin's LSBTI community. Both developments include care services, social support, and spaces designed for inclusivity. With further construction underway, the Südkreuz area continues to expand its residential and commercial offerings.