THE BEACHFRONT PROMENADE EXTENSION - IT'S OPEN!

Durban now officially lays claims to the longest uninterrupted waterfront promenade in sub-Saharan Africa! The R380m upgrade is done, and it's as pretty as its practical  

On with your skates, trainers or hop on your bike, you can now rack up close to another kilometre as you head from uShaka Marine World to the Durban Harbour Entrance. The full eight kilometre promenade from Blue Lagoon/Umgeni River Mouth all the way to the harbour is done and dusted...and let's face it, nothing improves exercise like the best view in the world, washed down with a great cappuccino as reward! That massive sea- and skyscape is truly impressive. World class, for sure, and we can be so proud of it

Phillip Sithole, eThekwini Municipality's deputy city manager for economic development and planning, believes that through the city investment and further private sector investment to come, "the promenade will become recognised internationally, together with the likes of Copacabana in Rio and Bondi Beach in Australia."

Look up at the apartment blocks of the Point Waterfront, those on south beach and north beach...and imagine the pleasure of those ever-changing views of the sea, the weather, the people, day after day. With the municipality's full intention to capitalise on the tourism potential of the Promenade, there is a great deal more attention being paid to security, lighting, and all those attributes which make a destination world class. This can only be good for property owners and investors in the area. 

The Promenade extension's new dune landscaping is immaculate and appropriate, the signage is good, the concrete and wood amphitheatre is a nice touch, and when that harbour-side restaurant serves up some superb seafood and other edibles...it'll be the place to be, and be seen. Aside from the promise of new restaurants, cafes and kiosks, it includes public amenities such as change rooms, public bathrooms, a lifeguard lookout point, and beneath the promenade, dedicated parking for water-sport clubs and public parking.

The new extension is 30 metres wide, which is glorious. Perfect for those taking in the view, cycling, skateboarding...without fear of being mowed down.

The new stretch of the promenade is not, of course, just a promenade. Apart from housing the various watersports clubs beneath it - with direct beach access - it's a major investment by the City into Durban's most important tourism asset. Sithole describes it as "a catalytic project aimed at taking the beachfront to another level and unlocking investment both into the broader beachfront and especially in the Point Waterfront."

The new extension is adjacent to the multi-billion-rand Point Waterfront urban renewal development, and it's intended to unlock this R35 billion development. Plans indicate it's to be undertaken in three phases over the next 10 to 15 years, with the first phase costing R3.5 billion and including a shopping mall (next to uShaka), hotel tower and residential tower. Construction is due to start in 2020. Various investors are keen, but UEM Sunrise will be driving the process that will also include local partners. Further phases include the construction of several residential and commercial towers which will ultimately link to the new cruise terminal. 

This past Saturday saw the arrival of the MSC ORCHESTRA cruise liner on her maiden voyage to South African shores, as well as a sod turning ceremony to mark the start of construction of the new Durban passenger terminal. Durban's new cruise liner terminal will be positioned inside the harbour alongside the Point Waterfront. Global cruise company MSC Cruises is a joint-venture partner in the KwaZulu Cruise Terminal Consortium (KTC), which won a 25-year concession from Transnet Port Authority last year to design, build and operate the R200 million Durban Cruise Terminal. MSC Cruises has significant operations in our waters, with Durban being its biggest homeport. The terminal's plan coincides with the company adding a second liner, which will see thousands more passengers moving through the harbours of Durban (MSC Musica - 3,200 guests) and Cape Town. Ross Volk, MD for MSC Cruises South Africa said that this follows significant growth in demand - last year's cruise season saw a 25% increase in guests compared to the same period in 2017/2018.

KCT has been finalising the detailed design of the Cruise Terminal Building and the anticipated commissioning of the project is 2020/21. Transnet plans to commence construction on its own section of the promenade in Quarter 3 of 2020 which will connect to the new Cruise Terminal, allowing cruise passengers direct access and connections to the central beachfront with relative ease and safety. Durban has held the title of Africa's Leading Cruise Port for three consecutive years in the World Travel Awards for Africa and Indian Ocean.

And if you don't have sea legs, try this. A giant Ferris wheel - along the lines of London Eye - is being proposed by private developers for the city, for location next to uShaka. Let's wait and see.

The Durban beachfront has attracted major private investment over the past few years, with Tsogo Sun injecting more than R1.8 billion into the area - a R1.5 billion expansion of its Suncoast Casino complex and a R220 million revamp of the Elangeni & Maharani Hotel at North Beach. Morocco-based Onomo Hotels invested some R150 million in a new 160-room hotel, while other local beachfront hoteliers and property owners have come to the party with revamps.

Positivity is contagious - so is upgrading of an area. Everybody benefits, whether it's investors, homeowners or tourists.

Whichever way you look at it, Durban's promenade is looking really good, particularly in time for the hottest tourism season of the year. So, come on in, the water's fine!