The cosmopolitan city of Durban has all the trappings of any major port city in the world, but with a difference! This unique city is historically revered with its significance in the history of South Africa and other countries and cultures it has embraced. It is often referred to as the number one holiday and conference destination in the country.
As South Africa’s third largest city it is regarded as the quintessential seaside playground for those visiting the region from local and international shores. A thriving industrial and tourist centre, Durban offers some of the finest hotels, conference and holiday accommodation en-par with international standards. The city’s beachfront has been likened to Malibu beach holidaying, with a unique African twist.
The city has undergone major industrial development in recent years which was boosted by the 2010 Fifa World Cup. In addition to a major revamp of the entire Golden Mile, the city now boasts one of, if not the most spectacular sporting stadiums in the country. The Moses Mabhida Stadium lights the night skies and is a constant reminder of this astonishing accomplishment.
With parks, shops, bars, cafes, night clubs and restaurants gracing the beach promenade, this “hot spot” has proved to be a winner with all visitors. The recently relocated uShaka Marine World houses one of the largest aquariums in the world that is a must see for those visiting the city. The marine theme park offers ocean activities, an oceanarium, the largest water amusement park in Africa, shopping amenities as well as a host of beach activities and culinary delights.
With its subtropical climatic conditions and boasting some of the best waves in the world, the beachfront comes alive at certain times of the year, hosting a number of international water sports and surfing championships along the shoreline. The City is also home to the largest container harbour in Africa, which has, in its own right, become a thriving tourist destination.
Despite it being regarded as the largest city on the East Coast of the African continent, the area is not as densely populated in comparison with other cities of a similar size. This could perhaps be attributed to the laid back, fun loving lifestyle that Durbanites have become famous for.
The Durban metropolitan area is the main economic hub in KwaZulu-Natal contributing over half of the Province’s output, employment and income. Although the exact costs of the recent upgrade to the Durban beachfront by the eThekweni Municipality is not fully documented, this has undoubtedly raised the profile of prime property in the metropolitan area.
The Durban Point Waterfront development is a prime example of how the right infrastructure can lead to growth. Positioned on what used to house a number of derelict buildings, the site has been transformed into a development that though much smaller, is often compared to the docklands in London. The initiative has proved to be a success with Lightstone statistics indicating that 40 transfers have taken place over the past 12 months. The average price paid for a sectional title unit is R2.42m, quite a staggering amount given that the average price paid for a unit in the centre of Durban retails in the region of R268 000.