The Muizenberg beachfront is currently undergoing a major refurbishment project that began in February 2025 and is scheduled to be completed in phases over two years, with a target completion date of late 2026. This is one of the largest capital projects undertaken by the City of Cape Town’s Coastal Management branch in recent years.
Key upgrades being done:
- Coastal Protection and Promenade: The most significant part of the upgrade is the replacement of the failing wooden and masonry coastal infrastructure with a new stepped revetment. This will include a 3-meter-wide, universally accessible promenade and a beach ramp. The new revetment is designed by coastal engineering experts to protect the beachfront from the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels, increased wave action, and more frequent storm surges.
- Parking Areas: The informal gravel parking areas along the railway line and by the Pavilion are being formalized with new layouts, lighting, and clay pavers. The parking will remain free of charge. The eastern parking area in front of the Muizenberg Civic Centre was scheduled to reopen to the public by August 1, 2025.
- Public Amenities:
- The existing ablution facilities will be demolished and rebuilt in a new location, further from the beach, to be more sustainable and include family changing rooms and wheelchair-accessible showers.
- The playground is being upgraded with a “kelp forest” theme, featuring an access ramp and interactive play equipment.
- The historic pergola will be relocated inland but rebuilt in its original design to preserve the area’s heritage.
- The eight iconic beach huts will also be replaced with new ones that are like-for-like in design and color, and will be moved to the central plaza to provide wind shelter for the new shower area.
- The Waves for Change and Shark Spotters buildings will also see changes. Waves for Change will move to a new building, and their old building will be repurposed to store beach access mats and equipment for adaptive surfing. The Shark Spotters building will remain unchanged.
Long-Term Benefits: The project is expected to create a more resilient, accessible, and attractive beachfront. The new coastal protection will secure the area against climate change impacts for decades to come. The upgraded amenities, including the playground, ablution facilities, and parking, are designed to improve the experience for residents, visitors, and people with disabilities. The project is also seen as a catalyst for further growth in the False Bay property market, with Muizenberg property values already seeing a surge.