Corner New Cross

Corner is an LGBTQIA+ led neighbourhood coffee shop, cocktail bar, and art gallery in New Cross, co-owned by Feix&Merlin Co-Founding Director Tarek Merlin (he/him) and his partner Mark Osman-Barter (he/they), and the team behind the counter serving the coffee and cocktails are all part of our broad and inclusive LGBTQ+ family.

Opened in 2022, Corner is a neighbourhood coffee shop, gallery and community hub. The project emerged from a desire to apply many of the principles that underpin the practice’s work: creating spaces that foster community, culture and exchange. Having spent years designing hospitality and cultural spaces for clients, Corner provided an opportunity to create, operate and learn from a space of our own.

Known for its welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, Corner has become a platform for local creatives, community groups and cultural organisations, hosting exhibitions, performances, screenings, talks and collaborations with groups including POC in Architecture and Architecture LGBTQ. In doing so, it also serves as a valuable testing ground for the practice, offering first-hand insight into how people occupy, adapt and make use of spaces over time.

The interiors were designed as a calm and welcoming retreat from the city. Existing brickwork and timber floors were carefully exposed and restored, complemented by a palette of greens, brass accents, natural materials and abundant planting. Reflecting the project’s community-focused ethos, much of the furniture has been sourced second-hand or repurposed, with several pieces carrying personal histories that contribute to the character and warmth of the space.