The City of Cape Town says the upgrade of the Muizenberg beachfront is progressing well, with construction currently focused on the western side of the beachfront where new coastal protection and promenade structures are being installed.
According to the City, about 15% of the precast concrete units that will form the stepped revetment and promenade walkway have already been placed. These units are being installed using a large crane operating from Surfer’s Corner.
The refurbishment project includes replacing the aged seawalls and upgrading public amenities along the beachfront. The project commenced in February 2025 and remains on track for completion by December 2026.
The contractor is currently placing precast concrete step and promenade units that will provide coastal protection while also allowing beach access at varied levels. Most of these steps will be below beach level and generally invisible to visitors as they will be buried under sand under normal conditions.
Relatively large sections of the beachfront are fenced off in the interest of 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 also confirmed that several milestones have already been achieved. The construction of the connection to the St James Walkway is complete, and the new NGO building that Waves for Change will occupy has also been completed. Access to the St James Walkway will be opened to the public once the western parking precinct next to the railway line has been completed. A public announcement will be made when this milestone is reached.
The old ablution building was demolished in January and work is now focused on placing the precast concrete units that form the stepped revetment and promenade walkway along the western side of the beachfront.
City of Cape Town Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews, said the City is making use of favourable weather conditions to advance the project.
“We are making use of the good weather as much as we can before the rainy season kicks in. 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,” he said.
Beach huts
The contractor will begin dismantling and removing the four beach huts on the western side of the beachfront next week. The four huts on the eastern side will be removed by mid-year as the project progresses.
The eight huts will be replaced with eight new huts of improved quality for increased durability, while following the historic design and pattern arrangement as part of the upgrade project.
The huts need to be removed because the new upgraded promenade will be constructed approximately 2m further inland. The setback is required in response to the impact of climate change, including rising sea levels and storm surges, and to ensure the new seawall does not reduce the width of the beach.
What to expect in coming weeks
The placing of the precast concrete units that form the stepped revetment and promenade walkway will progress to the eastern side of the beachfront.
Concrete work will continue along the western parking section of the seawall.
Underground services such as water and sewer connections will be installed for the new ablution facilities.
If all goes as planned, the fencing on the western side of the beachfront will be removed by the end of July. By that time, marine works will move towards the eastern side while civil works continue in the central plaza area.
