Durban’s beachfront is attracting fresh private-sector interest with hotel refurbishments, a rejuvenated Durban Amusement Park and a restaurant redevelopment among projects intended to revitalise the Golden Mile over the next two years.
Senzelwe Mzila, Spokesperson for eThekwini Municipality, told Tourism Update that the city has invested R380 million (US$23.1 million) in extending the beachfront promenade.
The promenade recorded 17.45 million pedestrian movements in 2025, a 20% increase on the previous year, according to the municipality. Between January and September 2026, another 11.25 million movements were recorded.
The municipality says increasing activity supports efforts to attract private investment to the beachfront although the extent to which individual developments will translate into additional tourism demand remains to be seen.
Major hotel upgrades underway
One of the largest investments is Southern Sun’s refurbishment programme, which includes major upgrades to its four beachfront hotels.
In October last year, Southern Sun signed a 50-year lease with eThekwini Municipality for the Elangeni and Maharani hotel towers securing its long-term presence on the beachfront.
The investment programme includes R622 million (US$37.7 million) for upgrading the two towers and R157 million (US$9.5 million) for movable assets. Another R348 million (US$21.1 million) is allocated to two other hotels owned by Southern Sun: Garden Court South Beach and The Edward.
The hotel upgrades intend to modernise facilities and strengthen the beachfront’s hospitality offering. Southern Sun has already begun phased refurbishment work at Elangeni and Maharani.
The municipality has also earmarked R5 million (US$303 400) for the restoration and maintenance of Sunken Gardens, the municipal park opposite Elangeni and Maharani.
New beachfront dining and retail offering
The redevelopment of 137 Lower Marine Parade, the former Joe Cool’s site, is expected to bring an expanded food, retail and hospitality offering to the beachfront.
Preferred bidder Imvusa has secured more than R70 million (US$4.2 million) for the project, according to the municipality, with total private-sector investment expected to approach R100 million (US$6.1 million) once tenants’ fit-outs are completed.
The development will accommodate a range of restaurants and food outlets, including several national franchises.
Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2027 following delays relating to legal proceedings and the handover of the site.
The development is targeting an opening during the 2027/28 festive season.
Durban Amusement Park
Another proposed development is the Durban Amusement Park on the former Funworld site.
The MCPM Group holds a 45-year lease on the park and, according to Mzila, its redevelopment will include 13 rides, a virtual reality arena, an exhibition space, an events venue and a boutique food offering.
“The amusement park is privately funded. All investment in the park to date has been made by the developer. Under the lease, the developer is solely responsible for financing, developing and operating the park, including raising the required capital,” Mzila said.
The Department of Tourism recently included the park among 15 “highly bankable” tourism products in its R3.5 billion tourism investment pipeline (US$212.4 million). However, inclusion in the pipeline does not necessarily establish that funding has been secured.
