The communities of Marda Loop

Marda Loop is a well-known, trendy, and rapidly developing group of communities in Calgary’s Southwest. If you’ve visited the area, you likely explored the Marda Loop business district along 33rd Ave. SW and 34th Ave. SW between Crowchild trail and 14 St. SW. Surrounding the business district are three communities worth discovering if you’re looking for a new inner-city home: South Calgary, Garrison Woods, and Altadore.

This area has great access to transit corridors, an ever-growing list of new restaurants and local shops and a short inner-city commute downtown. These communities are chock full of amenities including several schools from elementary to high school with different education specialties, recreation centres and parks. Throughout all three communities, you’ll find new infills, new townhomes and new condo complexes. There’s a home for every style and budget.

South Calgary

South Calgary is north of 34th Ave. between 20th St SW and 14th St. SW. The business district along 33rd Ave. is also within South Calgary boundaries, so sometimes the community is mistakenly referred to as Marda Loop. A hot area with a mix of homes, townhomes, apartments and condos, residents are conveniently located next to the development in Marda Loop, and a short walk away from shops, restaurants and night life on 17th Ave.

Find your essentials at Shoppers Drug Mart and your organic groceries at Blush Lane, and eat out at the Belmont Diner, a community hub since 2000.

Garrison Woods

Garrison Woods is south of 34th Ave. between Crowchild Trail and 20th St. SW, and bounded by 47th Ave. to the south. This community has a unique history, as Garrison Woods used to be the Permanent Married Quarters (PMQs) for Currie Barracks, the former Canadian Forces Base in Calgary. Developed in the early 2000’s, this community was designed with a mix of home types including single-detached houses, apartments and townhouses, and many homes are refurbished military housing.

You’ll find convenient grocery shopping at Safeway, a handful of shops and services along Garrison Gate, and check out Annabelle’s Kitchen for great Italian dishes, with each menu item priced under $20.

Altadore

Altadore is south of 34th Ave. between 20th St. SW and 14th St. SW, with the Elbow River serving as the eastern border further south. This community has been undergoing gentrification with many new infills and city redevelopment plans for several years. Altadore is highly desirable for its proximity to the Marda Loop business area, great access to transit corridors, greenspaces at River Park and Sandy Beach dog park, the Flames Community Arenas and Garrison Curling Club.

Visit My Favourite Ice Cream Shoppe for a weekend afternoon treat and enjoy the retro-style atmosphere that’s been Altadore’s gathering place since 1981.

A lively community

The Marda Loop Communities Association was founded in 1957 to support the communities through the post-war period of rapid growth and change. Today the association manages community facilities and a wide variety of programs for residents of all ages.

The Marda Loop Business Improvement Area (BIA) is another core institution in the community, creating a supportive environment for new and established businesses serving the community.

The community has a long-standing tradition of hosting the Marda Gras Street Festival in the summer, a huge block party for Calgarians to explore local vendor booths, enjoy live entertainment, kick back on local patios and enjoy food truck fare.

Mark your calendars: The 65th annual Marda Gras festival is planned for Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020.

Fun fact:

The name Marda Loop references two historical Calgary landmarks. “Marda” comes from the Marda Theatre, which was in operation from 1953 to 1988. The theatre name was a combination of the founder’s names, Mark and Mada Jenkins. “Loop” is a reference from the trolley car that serviced Calgary’s downtown and outlying areas from 1909 to 1950, and 34th Ave. and 20th St. was the end of the line where the trolleys looped back downtown.