GLORY days of a once much-adored pizza restaurant in Musgrave have come and gone, leaving former patrons and nearby residents in anguish.
While reminiscing about days gone by, residents have watched in despair as the iconic La Bella restaurant deteriorated and became derelict.

Lorraine McLean, a resident of the area for two decades, has witnessed the rise and fall of La Bella on Stephen Dlamini Road (Essenwood). Her worst fear has been the criminal elements and the decline of property values due to the influx of homeless people who have made the abandoned building their home.

“La Bella was for everybody. Friends and families gathered there for a great time and a beautiful ambiance. It was a melting pot of arts, culture and networking. It was not just a famous pizza place, long-lasting memories were created. Who can forget the salsa nights? The upstairs was often colourful and joyous with dancers. Their famous pizza was a hit on their mouthwatering menus. The effervescent beer garden and live bands. Birthday and milestone celebrations were memorable.
“We witnessed the deterioration of the place over the recent years, and it was hard to watch, until it was completely shut down and abandoned. The restaurant was gradually getting inundated with the homeless, and the surrounding residents were faced with fears. What used to be safe walks and runs around the block soon became a thing of the past,” explained McLean.

@caxtonlocalmedia Once a beloved hotspot for pizza, live music, and unforgettable nights, La Bella in Musgrave now stands abandoned and in ruins. Residents mourn its decline, fearing the impact on safety and property values. Will this iconic space be restored to its former glory, or is its fate sealed? 🏚️🤔 Read more about the community’s concerns and the latest developments on the Berea Mail website. #bereamail #LaBellaMusgrave #durbanhistory ♬ Spooky, quiet, scary atmosphere piano songs – Skittlegirl Sound

She hopes that the powers that be will restore the La Bella into a functioning space, where arts, culture and businesses could thrive, and the revival of glory can be seen. She places the fault squarely on the owners of the property, as “everything is a consequence of their actions”.

Ward 31 councillor Remona Mckenzie recently visited the La Bella restaurant.
“We have conducted many oversight visits since the closure of this business with the relevant departments, and made suggestions on what should be implemented; however at the time, there was no transparency, commitment and urgency from the municipality’s side to resolve this issue,” Mckenzie said.

The property stands unoccupied, with no homeless people in sight, only evidence of prior occupation. It now has security personnel guarding it to prevent further vandalism and takeover.

Mckenzie added that there was an urgent request to the municipality to safeguard the property, hence the visibility of around-the-clock security. She added that they demand that this matter be prioritised with urgency, as it has severely impacted on business, the flea market close by and property values.

*EThekwini Municipality’s Spokesperson Gugu Sisilana responds:

“The City is aware of the issues concerning the building in question. To address these challenges, the Municipality advertised the property in October last year, inviting proposals from the private sector for its redevelopment under a 30-year lease. The tender process closed in January 2025, and we are currently finalising the Supply Chain Management process, which we expect to conclude by July 2025, and redevelopment will commence once Spatial Planning and Land Use Management processes are completed. The previous tenant abandoned the building after the Municipality took legal action against them for breaching their lease agreement due to non-payment of rent.”

For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here