Iconic South African beach is getting a major makeover
The Muizenberg beachfront is undergoing a major upgrade, including new seawalls, improved public amenities and replacement of the beach’s iconic huts.
The City of Cape Town said the project commenced in February 2025, and all is on track to complete the works by December 2026.
The refurbishment of the Muizenberg beachfront entails replacing the aged seawalls and major upgrades to public amenities.
The contractor has placed about 15% of the precast step and promenade units, which will provide coastal protection while also providing beach access at varied levels.
Most of the steps will be below beach level and invisible to visitors, as it will be buried under sand under normal conditions.
Relatively large sections of the beachfront are currently fenced off for public safety and security while excavations are ongoing.
Artisan steel formwork has been installed on site by hand to create the curved design for the stepped revetment at Surfer’s Corner to ensure a quality finish.
The city’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews, said the project is progressing well.
“I’m happy to report that the construction of the connection to the St James Walkway is now complete, and so is the new NGO building that Waves for Change will occupy.”
“However, access to the St James Walkway will be open to the public only once the western parking precinct next to the railway line has been completed. We will make a public announcement when we reach this milestone.”
Andrews explained that the old ablution building was demolished in January, and the city is currently busy placing the precast concrete units that form the stepped revetment and promenade walkway.
“This work is ongoing on the western side of the beachfront, and visitors will see the huge crane operating in this area,” he said.
“I want to put residents at ease by mentioning that once this project is complete, most of the steps will be covered by sand.”
Thus, he said that what will be visible to the naked eye once the project is complete will look very different from what is currently the case.
“We are making use of the good weather as much as we can before the rainy season kicks in,” Andrews added.
“I want to thank the public for their patience and ongoing support, and want to reiterate that the sections on the beach that are not fenced off remain open for recreation, as well as the surf.”
The refurbishment
By the week of 16 March 2026, the contractor will dismantle and remove the four beach huts on the western side of the beachfront. The four beach huts on the eastern side will be removed by mid-year.
The eight removed huts will be replaced with the same number of new huts, but with improved quality for increased durability, while following the historic design and pattern arrangement.
The existing huts need to be removed from their current location as the new upgraded promenade will be further inland – the setback is approximately two meters.
The city said the setback is needed in response to the impact of climate change, including rising sea levels and storm surges and also to ensure the new seawall does not reduce the width of the beach
Over the coming weeks, the City of Cape Town will make several upgrades to Muizenberg Beach. These include –
- The placement of the precast concrete units that form the stepped revetment and promenade walkway will progress to the eastern side of the beachfront
- The concrete work is continuing along the western parking section of the seawall
- The underground services, such as water and sewer connections, will be installed for the new ablution facilities
The fencing on the western side of the beachfront will be removed, and the beach area on this side will be accessible again by the end of July, if all goes as planned.
By that time, the marine works will move towards the eastern side of the beachfront while the civil works are underway in the central plaza area.
The city encouraged residents to attend a complimentary community event at the beachfront on Saturday, 14 March 2026, starting from 07:30.
This is a family-friendly event with a beach clean-up session and an ocean-inspired Elevate guided movement and dance session with headphones on the beach.
The renovations
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