By the Numbers
Mission
Population 4,505
Median Household Income $72,000
Housing Types Single-detached homes, row homes, duplexes, apartments
Percentage of owners 31 per cent
Cliff Bungalow
Population 1,805
Median Household Income $60,400
Housing Types Mostly apartments and some single-detached homes
Percentage of owners 30 per cent
Vibrant southwest communities, Mission and Cliff Bungalow are the go-to ’hoods to sample some of Calgary’s most delicious restaurants, rummage through unique boutiques and experience a piece of living history. The adjacent communities are home to one of Calgary’s most popular summer celebrations — Lilac Festival.
Located near the Elbow River Pathway, Mission and Cliff Bungalow encompass the best of central-city living. From cafés filled with digital nomads to summer patios packed with people watchers, this trendy area has roots dating back more than 150 years.
In the 1870s, a mission was established in the area by the Oblates, a Catholic missionary order. Roughly 10 years later, the village of Rouleauville was established around the mission, but was annexed by The City of Calgary in 1907. By the First World War, the neighbourhood was redubbed Mission. Cliff Bungalow was originally part of the Canadian Pacific Railway landholdings and is comprised of the land west of 4th Street S.W. and east of the escarpment (or “cliff”).
A number of historic buildings are still peppered throughout the area, including the Rouleau House (1885), the oldest surviving building in the Mission district. The iconic Tivoli Theatre sign, at the corner of 4th Street and 20th Avenue S.W., marks where one of Calgary’s first cinemas opened in 1936. The building is now home to businesses like French brasserie Fleur de Sel.
Mission and Cliff Bungalow’s tangible history blended with modern vibes and walkability lends to their appeal for residents and visitors, alike.
Highlights
Without Co.
What could you go without? At Without Co., sustainable living feels like a luxury rather than a chore. A beautiful space tucked behind the Fourth Street Hot Shop, the zero-waste lifestyle boutique and refillery was founded in 2019. The shop hosts an array of bath and home products, such as bath bombs and cleaning bombs made in-house, as well as shampoo bars, Swedish sponge cloths, candles and room sprays.
103, 2115 4 St. S.W., withoutco.com, @withoutcoyyc
Masters Gallery Ltd.
It’s hard to miss Masters Gallery when walking down Mission’s main drag, 4th Street. Not only do its generous windows host a range of Canadian historical, postwar and contemporary art, but at the gallery’s entrance on the south-facing side rests Van Gogh Observes, an eight-foot-tall bronze sculpture created by artist Joe Fafard, an officer of the Order of Canada. The sculpture is designed to appear as if Van Gogh’s eyes are following passers-by. Masters Gallery was founded in 1976 by Peter Ohler, Sr., a retired CFL quarterback.
107, 2115 4 St. S.W., 403-245-2064, mastersgalleryltd.com, @mastersyyc
Blue Rock Swim Club
One of Calgary’s dining epicentres, Mission includes industry heavy hitters like Shokunin, Anejo, Mercato Mission, and South Block Barbecue & Brewing Co. But below South Block lies one of Calgary’s hidden (and deceptively named) gems: Blue Rock Swim Club. The atmosphere? Effortless sophistication. The cocktails? Excitingly elevated. Dive into the deep end with Blanton’s Gold Old Fashioned ($40), featuring Blanton’s Gold Straight Bourbon, burnt brown sugar syrup, angostura bitters and burnt citrus bitters. Or opt for something a little more mellow like White Noise ($18), which blends Romero dark rum, plum wine, lychee liqueur, jasmine tea syrup and Mrs. Betters white peach bitters.
500 25 Ave. S.W., bluerockswimclub.com, @bluerockswimclub
Did You Know?
Home to the Alberta Ballet since 1990, St. Mary’s Parish Hall (221 18 Ave. S.W.) was originally built in 1905. It’s apt that the building now serves as the ballet’s rehearsal studios, since it was originally constructed to host performances and recitals. The hall was sold to the Canadian Northern Railway in 1911 and operated as a train station until 1971.
Listing at a Glance
Listed and sold by Jordan Walczak in September 2025 for $443,888, this 978-square-foot luxury condo combines modern design and natural beauty. Located a block away from the Elbow River, the condo features two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Built in 1984, the building is undergoing renovations. With more than $1 million in the reserve fund, monthly condo fees total around $700 and include one underground parking stall. Design highlights include a peninsula in the kitchen, a brand-new bar fridge in the dining area and a custom walk-through closet.
