CAPE TOWN – Residents can look forward to seeing Muizenberg Beach’s historic beach huts undergoing a makeover while the City of Cape Town’s beachfront upgrades are underway.
Angela Gorman, chairperson of the Beach Hut Trust (BHT), reassured concerned locals that Muizenberg’s beloved colourful beach huts are not disappearing permanently, despite major construction work currently transforming the iconic beachfront.
“The iconic, colourful Muizenberg beach huts at Surfer’s Corner are not being removed permanently. They are due to be taken down and replaced with new, like-for-like huts as part of a major City of Cape Town refurbishment.”
The beach huts are among 76 huts that fall under the care of the Beach Hut Trust (BHT), which manages them. The trust was founded by Gorman in 2020 to restore and protect these City assets.
Heritage-preservation priority
The replacement of the eight historic beach huts stems from the upgraded promenade being set approximately 2 m further back from the sea, responding to climate change impacts including rising sea levels and storm surges.
During public consultation officials determined that dismantling, storing and reconstructing the current huts would likely cause significant damage, making replacement the more responsible option.
Said Gorman: “The City has confirmed that the eight existing iconic huts will be replaced with eight new huts, carefully designed to match the historic look, patterns and colours of the originals, so their familiar character is retained.”
ALSO READ “Muizenberg’s iconic beach huts in the running for best of the Cape Tourism Award”
The new huts will be relocated to the central plaza area, where they’ll provide additional wind shelter for central shower facilities.
Construction reaches intensive phase
The ambitious beachfront refurbishment, which began in February last year, has accelerated following the builders’ break, with demolition of ablution buildings now underway and expanded fencing planned for work areas.
A large crane will be installed at Surfer’s Corner within days to place concrete precast units for the new promenade walkway, requiring the closure of nine parking bays for approximately three months.
Temporary ablutions have been positioned next to the railway line opposite the large parking circle, while the central shower area will be temporarily closed for reconstruction.
Community cooperation essential
Deputy Mayor and Mayco member for Spatial Planning and the Environment Eddie Andrews acknowledged the substantial impact on visitors and residents.”We are moving into sixth gear. Visitors will see a lot of activity on the beachfront and some large sections will be fenced off in the interest of public safety. This is a mammoth project. We cannot do this without your cooperation. Once completed, the upgrades will ensure Muizenberg remains one of Cape Town’s top beach destinations for generations to come.”
The City targets the 2026 festive season for completion. The next community meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 25 February, from 17:30 to 19:00, at Muizenberg Civic Centre.
ALSO READ “Muizenberg beachfront upgrade enters intensive phase with major construction activity”
You must be logged in to post a comment.