Marda Loop
Encyclopedia
Marda Loop is a Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ) in Calgary
, Alberta
, centred on 33rd and 34th Avenues SW between Crowchild Trail
and 19th Street SW, and along Garrison Gate SW. It bisects the neighbourhoods of South Calgary and Altadore and is east of the community of Richmond.
The area has become one of Calgary's most popular outdoor shopping venues. Businesses consist of small-scale retailers, coffee shops, and pubs. The BRZ hosts an annual street festival, the Marda Gras Festival, in early August. The area is named after Marc and Mada Jenkins, who were the owners of the Marda Theatre (Odeon Theatre), the name being a combination of their two names. The theatre was opened in 1953 and closed in 1988, and was demolished in 1990.
Historically, the area has always been a hub of activity for that part of the city as it was once a turnaround point for the "Marda" streetcar line. In recent years, the community saw a serious decline due to the departure of the Canadian Forces base
and the closure of the MQ (Married Quarters) area. However, in the last 7 - 10 years, 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 condominium
s. Marda Loop is becoming a trendy area with an influx of higher income households and a business demographic. 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".
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, centred on 33rd and 34th Avenues SW between Crowchild Trail
Crowchild Trail
Crowchild Trail is an expressway located on the west side of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.The road was originally signed as 24th Street SW from North Glenmore Park to the Bow River, 24th Street NW from the Bow to the intersection with 16th Avenue NW , and Highway 1A from 16th Ave NW to the city limits...
and 19th Street SW, and along Garrison Gate SW. It bisects the neighbourhoods of South Calgary and Altadore and is east of the community of Richmond.
Historically, the area has always been a hub of activity for that part of the city as it was once a turnaround point for the "Marda" streetcar line. In recent years, the community saw a serious decline due to the departure of the Canadian Forces base
Canadian Forces base
A Canadian Forces Base or CFB is a military installation of the Canadian Forces. For a facility to qualify as a Canadian Forces Base, it must station one or more major units .Minor installations are named Canadian Forces Station or CFS A Canadian Forces Base or CFB (French Base des forces...
and the closure of the MQ (Married Quarters) area. However, in the last 7 - 10 years, there has been a large upswing in the business and residential community due to substantial redevelopment
Redevelopment
Redevelopment is any new construction on a site that has pre-existing uses.-Description:Variations on redevelopment include:* Urban infill on vacant parcels that have no existing activity but were previously developed, especially on Brownfield land, such as the redevelopment of an industrial site...
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 condominium
Condominium
A condominium, or condo, is the form of housing tenure and other real property where a specified part of a piece of real estate is individually owned while use of and access to common facilities in the piece such as hallways, heating system, elevators, exterior areas is executed under legal rights...
s. Marda Loop is becoming a trendy area with an influx of higher income households and a business demographic. 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
Marda Loop Justice Film Festival
The Marda Loop Justice Film Festival is an annually occurring film festival near Calgary's Marda Loop Area.-Themes:While an effort is typically made to show films concerned with contemporary justice issues, the film festival remains relatively small, running over the course of only three days and...
, a Yoga & Meditation Community Center, and an annual street festival aptly named "Marda Gras".