Marda Loop, Calgary

Marda Loop is a Business Improvement Area (BIA) in Calgary, Alberta, centred on 33rd and 34th Avenues SW between Crowchild Trail and 18th Street SW, and along Garrison Gate SW. It intersects the neighbourhoods of South Calgary, Altadore, Garrison Woods and the southeastern part of the community of Richmond - Knob Hill. The Marda Loop name originated with the BIA, but also applies generically to the surrounding community, and also to the residential Marda Loop Communities Association. This entry is primarily about the Marda Loop BIA. (Note, until recently it was Marda Loop BRZ)

Marda Loop Square
Location of Marda Loop in Calgary

The area has become one of Calgary's most popular outdoor shopping venues. Businesses consist of small-scale retailers, coffee shops, and pubs. The BIA hosts an annual street festival, the Marda Gras Street Festival, on the second Sunday in August.

The area is named after Marc and Mada Jenkins, who were the owners of the local Marda Theatre (later Odeon Theatre), the name being a combination of their two names. (The theatre was opened in 1953, closed in 1989 and was demolished in 1990.) The "Loop" refers to the street car loop, and later a trolley bus turnaround, that was a feature of the area. The name was chosen in a contest conducted by the BIA (ex. BRZ) in 1985.

Historically, the area has always been a hub of commercial activity for that part of the city. In the late 1990s the community saw a major change due to the departure of nearby Canadian Forces Base Calgary and the closure of the PMQ (Permanent Married Quarters) area. In the early 2000s the PMQs were redeveloped as Garrison Woods, including a residential area and many new shops grew the Marda Loop business district. Since around 2010 there has been a large upswing in the business and residential community due to substantial redevelopment in the area and the community has regained some of its historical vibrancy.

Recently there has been a significant increase in housing density in the surrounding neighbourhoods, as older homes are giving way to new higher density condominiums. Marda Loop is becoming a trendy area with an influx of higher income households and new businesses. Evidence of the shift towards a younger and more dynamic population can be seen in new and emerging community events and facilities. The area hosts an annual film festival, a Yoga & Meditation Community Center, and an annual street festival aptly named "Marda Gras".

See also

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