New life will be breathed into the iconic houses on Muizenbergstrand as soon as the second phase of the Cape Metro’s renovation project is completed.
The metro is carrying out renovation work in consultation with the Friends of the Muizenberg cottages to finally restore the cottages to their former glory.
The city’s Department of Recreation and Parks began the second phase of the repairs this week.
“This joint initiative with the Friends of the Muizenberg houses aims to preserve the proud Cape symbol, which also forms part of the cultural and historical heritage of Muizenberg,” says Geordin Hill-Lewis, mayor of Cape Town.
“By carrying out well-thought-out renovations, we will ensure that these iconic cottages continue to be a symbol of the area’s charm and character.”
Phase two of the renovation work ensures that 26 double houses and ten single houses are repaired. It will cost approximately R5.9 million to complete this phase.
This is how the houses are renovated:
- floor beams, wooden beams and roof beams are replaced with treated wood;
- side panels and roofs replaced with Nutec cladding;
- wooden stairs rebuilt and concrete bases for handrails laid;
- rebuilt wooden seating benches inside the cottages;
- wooden floorboards and wooden doors replaced;
- replace all steel bolted joints with galvanized bolts and plates and;
- treated all wooden elements and repainted the wall panels and roofs.
The metro expects the renovation work to be completed by the end of November.
“Once this project is completed, all the beach houses on Muizenbergstrand will be completely renovated,” says Patricia van der Ross, mayoral committee member for community services and health.
“However, I would like to appeal to people to help us preserve these iconic structures that make the Cape coastline so unique by using them carefully.”
The houses are used as changing rooms for beachgoers.
