Preferred bidder Imvusa (Pty) Ltd has secured more than R70 million to redevelop 137 Lower Marine Parade on Durban’s Golden Mile, according to an eThekwini Municipality statement published on 6 October 2026. The city expects total private investment to approach R100 million after tenant fit-outs.
The municipality said the project would expand the commercial footprint from 1,700 square metres to 4,000 square metres. It reported signed leases with Steers, Fishaways, Debonairs Pizza, Wimpy, Milky Lane, Nonna’s Riviera and Perere by Gushima.
Construction is targeted to start in January 2027 after statutory planning processes and lease signing. The city said the start had been moved from June 2026 while legal proceedings for vacant possession were concluded, with remaining occupants required to vacate by 15 January 2027. Trading is targeted for the 2027/28 festive season.
The statement estimates that permanent jobs at the site would increase from 85 to about 170 and that construction would create another 80 jobs. These are municipal projections, not independently verified employment outcomes. The statement identifies Imvusa as preferred bidder but gives no procurement reference, bid value or council-resolution number; Civic Ledger therefore records the financing milestone without treating it as a newly verified contract award.
What it means
The announcement moves a named beachfront redevelopment beyond a general investment proposal by identifying financing, tenants and a revised construction target. The next accountability records are the underlying lease and bid documents, completed planning approvals, site handover and evidence that construction starts in January 2027.
Correction history
No material correction is recorded for this article as of 8 October 2026. Any correction will be listed on the corrections register.