ArtsLav, arts venue in Kennington, London
ArtsLav is a Grade II listed building in Kennington, London, originally built in 1898 as Victorian gentlemen's underground toilets. The structure retains its original brick design and architectural features including a ventilation shaft and original metal railings, now functioning as an arts venue and community space.
The building was erected in 1898 as a Victorian gentlemen's underground toilet facility at Kennington Cross. It gained Grade II listing status in 2001, and later underwent community-led transformation into an arts venue with social enterprise programs supporting local employment and training.
ArtsLav takes its name from its original purpose as Victorian gentlemen's underground toilets built in 1898. Today visitors and artists explore this history through exhibitions and creative activities that honor the site's past while creating new meanings.
The venue is easily accessible and located in Kennington within a busy neighborhood with shops and cafes nearby. Note that the building is compact but offers a distinctive historical setting, especially during guided tours and exhibitions.
The site houses a flower stall run by a charity that provides employment and training for people facing barriers to work. This reveals how the building functions as a social hub beyond arts events alone.
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