Muizenberg beachfront to undergo massive upgrades in February 2025

John Maytham speaks to Meindertjan Rebel, Project Manager for the Muizenberg beachfront upgrade.

Listen below.

The City of Cape Town is on track to commence with the refurbishment of the Muizenberg beachfront by mid-February next year.

The project entails major upgrades to public amenities and the replacement of the aged seawalls. It will be completed by the end of 2026.

Rebel says the 22-month construction duration plan aims to minimise disruptions to the area so visitors and surfers can still access the beach.

"February is a good time to start considering the holiday season and how busy Muizenberg is getting," explains Rebel.

Engagements with stakeholders, business owners and the local community have commenced to inform them of the timeframes, anticipated impact, and measures to address inconveniences while work is ongoing.

The project will be done in phases and the first work will commence along the western section of Surfer’s Corner, next to the railway line. The beach will remain open and accessible at all times.

Public information displays

• Public information displays with details about the upgrade have been installed at various points at the Muizenberg beachfront.
• These include artists' impressions of the refurbishment and design.
• Scan the QR code to sign up for updates, and more information about the project.

Location of the upgrade project

The upgrades will take place at Surfer’s Corner, on the western part of the beachfront along Beach Road, including the connection to the St James walkway, the Surfer’s Corner steps, the main promenade area and the existing informal gravel parking area along the railway line and eastern parking area.
 
Upgrades and repairs

The existing wooden coastal protection structure along the promenade, stone masonry steps and curved concrete seawall in the corner have passed their design life and are failing. These will be replaced with a stepped revetment that will include a three-metre wide promenade with a universally accessible beach ramp.

The new revetment is a key element of the upgrade, designed by coastal engineering experts to protect the beachfront from future impacts of climate change such as increased wave action due to sea level rise and more frequent storm surges. The steps and promenade will be constructed with concrete to ensure its longevity and effectiveness in protecting the public beachfront. The areas landwards of the promenade will be paved with clay segmented pavers.

• The new stepped revetment follows the existing seawall alignment in the main promenade area and retreats in the corner area
• The alignment of the new revetment will improve the connection along the beach by retreating in the corner area and providing a wider beach area for recreational users and seating in high tide conditions
• A sandstone aggregate and sandblasted finish to the concrete will avoid the bland grey concrete look
• The new promenade is universally accessible, and will also link with the St James walkway
• Universal access will be improved on the promenade, onto the beach and for public amenities, including facilities for adaptive surfing

Parking areas

The existing gravel parking area along the railway line will be formalised with clay pavers, in the same style as the current main parking area. Formalising relates to the resurfacing, the use of soft landscaping, a pedestrian-oriented design, and the demarcating of parking bays, as well as area lighting for improved safety.

• Importantly, the upgrade and improved layout will not take away any of the beach space
• The layout of the eastern parking seaward of the Pavilion will also be optimised
• Parking will remain free of charge

Ablution facility

The existing ablutions are located on the beach in the littoral active and wave run-up zone, which is not a long-term sustainable location. Thus, it will be demolished and rebuilt in the same architectural style just landwards of the revetment, opening up more beach space.

• The new facility will be located at the central shower plaza area
• Universal access parking will be provided in the central area at the ablution
  The facility will be universally accessible with family changing rooms and wheelchair-accessible showers;
• Local mosaic art will be included inside the building and at the outside showers
• The outside shower remains in the central node area

Pergola

The pergola will be demolished and rebuilt further landward to allow for the construction and setback of the new revetment structures and promenade.

It will be rebuilt like-for-like, meaning, the new pergola will have the same design and details as the current structure to preserve the local heritage, look and feel, as requested by the public. There will also be an outside shower at the pergola, as is the case currently.

Playground

The existing playground will be upgraded with a kelp forest theme and will include a universal access ramp and interactive play equipment for children with various abilities.

Paved areas

The surfaces landwards of the new promenade will be surfaced with clay pavers matching the existing colours and style.

Station forecourt

The forecourt will be refurbished to make it more pedestrian-friendly. Parking for people with special needs and a universally accessible ramp to access the promenade will also be located in this area.

Services

The underground sewer and stormwater mains will be realigned where needed to avoid the risk of coastal impacts, and the capacity maintained.

Soft Landscaping

Locally indigenous vegetation and grassy areas will be included. Unfortunately, trees are not suitable for the harsh coastal climate and strong south-easterly winds.

Beach huts

All eight huts will be relocated to the central plaza, as opposed to on either side of the main plaza, and thus also serve as a wind shelter for the central shower area.

Buildings

The existing NGO buildings will remain, this means those who are currently operating from the beachfront will keep on doing so.

The number of informal trading opportunities will be retained and accommodated during the construction.

Waves for Change will move to a newly constructed building near the northern corner of the formalised parking area. The current Waves for Change building will be modified to provide greater adaptive surfing opportunities, and storage of beach access mats, equipment and wheelchairs. The Shark Spotters building remains as is.

Where existing buildings are refurbished or demolished, these will be rebuilt in a style similar to the existing buildings to ensure we retain the heritage value, look and feel of Muizenberg

While construction is ongoing, traffic flow at Muizenberg Beach might be affected and impact motorists, business owners and visitors.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.