Muizenberg, once the most fashionable of all False Bay suburbs, says Rawson Properties agent Derek Evans, is rapidly shrugging off the unfortunate images and reputation that were attached to it in the 1960 to 1980 era, when the suburb went through its least successful phase.
The first of these unfortunate perceptions, said Evans, was that the entire precinct was run-down. This, he says, is very definitely no longer the case. Extensive upgrading of many of the homes, especially those in the central village area, have been complemented by a number of new developments (a result of both private enterprise and Cape Metro input), says Evans. These new improvements are reviving the glamour and appeal of the area.
Among the improvements being undertaken, says Evans, is the wholesale upgrading of the railway station which will give Muizenberg the glamour and appeal that it enjoyed in its 1920s to 1930s heyday. Also now being developed, he said, is a network of pedestrian walkways which allow easier access to the beachfront and Muizenberg village precinct. In addition, a variety of green spaces for art and play purposes are being brought on-stream and a recent Cape Metro initiative will give many of the streets attractive borders of shrubs.
Faircape Properties Developers will be erecting a new retail and restaurant complex opposite the popular Knead Bistro, frequented by beach-lovers and surfers. This will be an upmarket project, said Evans. Also being converted and improved are the ground floor flats in the Empire building on the beachfront which will become chic retail outlets. A little closer to the centre of town, the Cape Provincial Organisation for the Aged will be converting the Sacks butchery into an attractive retirement complex suitable for middle-class people.
Another unfortunate reputation that has been acquired by Muizenberg is that of being a minor crime capital in the Peninsula. This too, he says, is becoming a thing of the past because residents in both the central village and Uitsig (on the eastern side of Prince George Drive opposite Marina da Gama) have rallied around and got behind the new Muizenberg District improvement initiative. The central district now has guards on patrol on a 24 hour basis and Uitsig will be protected by an electrified fence and a monitored entrance.
“Today,” said Evans, “Muizenberg is becoming one of the safest places in the entire Cape Peninsula and evidence of this can be seen in the number of people walking around, quite freely, at all hours of the night.”
The area, added Evans, still offers exceptionally good value. Although homes in Muizenberg are beginning to appreciate, they can still be had from R750 000 to R1, 4 million and in the new developments in the east, such as popular Cape Capricorn Beach Security Estates, prices can be as low as R600 000 and rise to only R900 000.
Lakeside, added Evans, has become increasingly popular but even here it is possible to find a three or four bedroom home for between R1,3 million and R2,5 million. One particularly attractive home on the Rawson books at the moment is priced at around R2 995 000. Although this is above average for the area, the property offers great accommodation and stunning views.
The traditional, large and often magnificent mountain-side homes seldom come on to the market but when they do they achieve prices of around R1, 5 million to R3, 5 million.
Rentals continue to be buoyant in Muizenberg. This, said Evans, is mostly because of the area’s affordability and its proximity to the ocean, vlei, mountains and two railway stations (False Bay and Muizenberg) serving the area.
“It is not unusual for people living in other parts of the Peninsula to have a holiday home in Muizenberg. Many holiday makers continue to visit every festive season as they have done for the last 40 to 50 years.”
The first of these unfortunate perceptions, said Evans, was that the entire precinct was run-down. This, he says, is very definitely no longer the case. Extensive upgrading of many of the homes, especially those in the central village area, have been complemented by a number of new developments (a result of both private enterprise and Cape Metro input), says Evans. These new improvements are reviving the glamour and appeal of the area.
Among the improvements being undertaken, says Evans, is the wholesale upgrading of the railway station which will give Muizenberg the glamour and appeal that it enjoyed in its 1920s to 1930s heyday. Also now being developed, he said, is a network of pedestrian walkways which allow easier access to the beachfront and Muizenberg village precinct. In addition, a variety of green spaces for art and play purposes are being brought on-stream and a recent Cape Metro initiative will give many of the streets attractive borders of shrubs.
Faircape Properties Developers will be erecting a new retail and restaurant complex opposite the popular Knead Bistro, frequented by beach-lovers and surfers. This will be an upmarket project, said Evans. Also being converted and improved are the ground floor flats in the Empire building on the beachfront which will become chic retail outlets. A little closer to the centre of town, the Cape Provincial Organisation for the Aged will be converting the Sacks butchery into an attractive retirement complex suitable for middle-class people.
Another unfortunate reputation that has been acquired by Muizenberg is that of being a minor crime capital in the Peninsula. This too, he says, is becoming a thing of the past because residents in both the central village and Uitsig (on the eastern side of Prince George Drive opposite Marina da Gama) have rallied around and got behind the new Muizenberg District improvement initiative. The central district now has guards on patrol on a 24 hour basis and Uitsig will be protected by an electrified fence and a monitored entrance.
“Today,” said Evans, “Muizenberg is becoming one of the safest places in the entire Cape Peninsula and evidence of this can be seen in the number of people walking around, quite freely, at all hours of the night.”
The area, added Evans, still offers exceptionally good value. Although homes in Muizenberg are beginning to appreciate, they can still be had from R750 000 to R1, 4 million and in the new developments in the east, such as popular Cape Capricorn Beach Security Estates, prices can be as low as R600 000 and rise to only R900 000.
Lakeside, added Evans, has become increasingly popular but even here it is possible to find a three or four bedroom home for between R1,3 million and R2,5 million. One particularly attractive home on the Rawson books at the moment is priced at around R2 995 000. Although this is above average for the area, the property offers great accommodation and stunning views.
The traditional, large and often magnificent mountain-side homes seldom come on to the market but when they do they achieve prices of around R1, 5 million to R3, 5 million.
Rentals continue to be buoyant in Muizenberg. This, said Evans, is mostly because of the area’s affordability and its proximity to the ocean, vlei, mountains and two railway stations (False Bay and Muizenberg) serving the area.
“It is not unusual for people living in other parts of the Peninsula to have a holiday home in Muizenberg. Many holiday makers continue to visit every festive season as they have done for the last 40 to 50 years.”
