Durban waterfront is getting a R35 billion facelift.
The eThekwini municipality is about to roll out the first phase of its R35 billion Durban Point redevelopment, with the construction of the 750m-long, 30m-wide promenade that forms part of the multibillion-rand Point Waterfront development.
On Tuesday eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede broke ground for construction on extending Durban’s Beachfront promenade, which will support the R35 billion Point Waterfront development project by unlocking the first phase.
According to the city, approximately R300 million has been set aside for the promenade development – a small portion of the R35 billion Point Waterfront Development which aims overhaul the entire area and further attract investment and tourists to the vicinity.
“The Durban promenade extension unlocks phase one of the entire Point Waterfront development, which upon completion is estimated to cover 750,000 square metres. Plans include a 55 story skyscraper, a residential tower, retail mall and hotel.”
Expected to be open to the public by mid-2019, the promenade will be 30 metres wide and will run from uShaka Marine World to Vetch’s Pier. And new developments will include:
- beach facilities to include change rooms.
- public parking and dedicated parking for water-sport clubs.
- clubs to be accommodated in new spaces in the promenade.
- amphitheatre located in the centre of the promenade serving as the primary beach events space.
According to Gumede, this will help boost the image of Durban as a global city and grow the tourism sector, as well as increase the value of property in the area between 5 and 10%.
“It is encouraging to note the growing interest from the business sector to work with the government in major strategic investments,” says Gumede.
“The Point Waterfront development must be seen in the context of a city-wide development process, indicating that Durban is on the brink of change.”
The whole project, a public-private partnership, will be completed in three phases over five to ten years and will create 11 000 jobs in the construction phase and 6 750 permanent jobs once it’s completed.
The project is broken up into six precincts:
Precinct 1: This precinct will mainly be residential with a portion of it being used for retail.
Precinct 2: This precinct is located close to the uShaka Marine Theme Park. The concept is to link the new residential, hotel and retail development with the uShaka retail.
Precinct 3: This plot has a lot of historical buildings that were warehouses used in harbour activity. The will potentially be bought off and redeveloped into a variety of hotel, retail and commercial developments.
Precinct 4: The part is situated at the Harbour Entrance channel and offers wonderful views of the ships moving in and out of the harbour. This precinct will also be developed due to its unique location and link to the promenade.
Precinct 5: These sites will offer immediate beach access and views across the harbour. The will be a new loop-road system to help with traffic movement and opportunities to open up restaurants and tourist related activities along the boulevard and promenade.
Precinct 6: The focus is to have a high-tech commerce and business centre that is integrated with the Public transport node and parking facilities
Check out the pictures of what the upgrades are expected to look like:
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