Property developer Native Land has extended the deadline for operators to submit concept ideas for a new LGBTQ+ cultural space on the South Bank.
Organisations now have until November 20 to say how they’d transform two disused railway arches into a vibrant hub for London’s LGBTQ+ community.
It is on the site of the former XXL gay club which closed in September 2019 despite a 5,900-signature-strong petition urging it to remain open.
The winning concept idea will be chosen by a panel of six made up of local politicians, the developer and an LGBT Network representative.
The space will form part of Bankside Yards, a £2.5 billion project on one of the last undeveloped sites along the Thames.
Alasdair Nicholls, Chief Executive of Native Land, said: “The delivery of the LGBTQ+ space within the renovated railway arches ensures this important community continues to be a part of the area, with the potential to provide the diverse opportunities for art, culture and support that help Bankside thrive.”
Interested operators are competing for a 25-year lease of the space. The arches have the potential to accommodate a range of uses, including performances, cultural gatherings, workshops and events.
The panel will evaluate proposals based on their viability as a business and their strategic value to the LGBTQ+ community in London.
Once complete, Bankside Yards will deliver eight new buildings with more than 350,000 sq ft of offices, 50,000 sq ft of amenities, bars, restaurants and cultural space.