Durban's Golden Mile secures R70m private investment for beachfront redevelopment
Written on
A private developer has secured more than R70 million to redevelop 137 Lower Marine Parade on Durban's Golden Mile, a project eThekwini says will expand the site's commercial space by about 135%.
More than R70 million in private investment has been secured to redevelop a property on Durban's Golden Mile, with eThekwini Municipality confirming that the preferred bidder, Imvusa (Pty) Ltd, has raised the funding to overhaul 137 Lower Marine Parade, near Joe Cool's.
The municipality said total private-sector investment is expected to approach R100 million once tenant fit-outs are completed. The redevelopment will expand the property's commercial footprint from 1,700 square metres to about 4,000 square metres, an increase of roughly 135%.
City spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila said construction is expected to begin in January 2027, subject to the completion of statutory planning processes and the signing of leases. The start was moved from June 2026 to allow legal proceedings over vacant possession to conclude, with remaining occupants required to vacate by 15 January 2027 and site handover scheduled immediately afterwards.
Several food and hospitality brands have already signed leases for the development, including Steers, Fishaways, Debonairs Pizza, Wimpy, Milky Lane, Nonna's Riviera and Perere by Gushima. The project will mark Nonna's Riviera's first location in Durban outside Johannesburg.
The development is expected to open for trading during the 2027/28 festive season. The municipality said the project forms part of broader efforts to attract private investment to the Golden Mile and to strengthen the commercial appeal of one of Durban's best-known coastal destinations.