By the Numbers
Communities surrounding Marda Loop
Altadore
Population: 7,290
Median household income: $153,000
Main housing types: Single- (38%) and semi-detached (20%) houses, apartments in a duplex or building <5 storeys (34%)
Owner-occupied: 68%
Garrison Woods
Population: 2,860
Median household income: $146,000
Main housing types: Single- (31%) and semi-detached (19%) houses, row houses (26%), apartments in a building <5 storeys (23%)
Owner-occupied: 80%
South Calgary
Population: 4,540
Median household income: $87,000
Main housing types: Single- (22%) and semi-detached (11%) houses, row houses (8%), apartments in a building <5 storeys (49%)
Owner-occupied: 50%
For a walkable, almost quaint-small-town setting, look no further than Marda Loop. Dating back to 1909, the business district was once the turnaround point for the No. 7 South Calgary streetcar. These days, 33rd and 34th avenues S.W. boast a collection of cute boutiques, restaurants and cafés — in no small part because of developments by the Leonard Development Group such as Henry Block and Elizabeth Square (collectively known as The Shops at Avenue Thirty Four).
Chic stores such as Sunday State, Allis, Crabapple Clothing Company and Clothing Bar Boutique rub shoulders with some of Calgary’s best brunch spots, including Belmont Diner, Sammie Cafe and Diner Deluxe. Marda Loop’s growing culinary scene showcases the über-popular restaurant, Dopo, along with Marda Loop Brewing, Boogie’s Burgers, French wine bar Avitus and rum bar Quarters.
Beyond shopping and dining, the Marda Gras Street Festival showcases more than 250 businesses along with free family entertainment (such as a pet pageant), and the annual Spook The Loop event is a favourite among trick-or-treaters.
Lovers of arts and culture can venture to cSpace Marda Loop for arts programming, exhibitions and craft galleries. Originally the King Edward School, cSpace is an innovative arts incubator hub, with studios for creatives such as designer Anneke Forbes and Feast Studio + Press, along with arts event space and café.
Highlights
Nocturne Books
Something dark and moody has taken root on the ground floor of the Henry Block. Nocturne Books, Alberta’s first horror-focused bookstore, opened its doors in November 2025. Fitted with dark wood shelves reminiscent of the University of Oxford’s historic Bodleian Library, Nocturne Books showcases an array of “dark fiction,” including horror, fantasy, science fiction and more. Viewing horror as a vast and nuanced genre, Nocturne aims to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment, stocking books for all ages and darker tastes.
15, 1934 34 Ave. S.W., nocturnebooks.ca, @nocturnebooksyyc
Bella’s Italiana
While Marda Loop holds no shortage of delightful cafés, Bella’s Italiana, tucked away on the side of Elizabeth Square, takes the proverbial cake. A cozy eatery with a glassed-in patio, Bella’s offers excellent coffee, Italian dishes and a delightful atmosphere. With only a handful of seats, the vibe is more about connection and community than hustle — it’s rare to see a laptop in use or a business meeting in progress. Instead, it’s a place where friends and neighbours gather over a glass of wine and a forno pizza, and parents can catch up, sipping matcha lattes while their little ones sleep in strollers.
1907 34 Ave. S.W., @bellasitaliana
Tres Marias Food Market
Along Marda Loop’s trendy 34th Avenue S.W., Tres Marias Food Market offers authentic Mexican cuisine — meals like tostadas, tacos and burritos, alongside enchilada trays and tres leches cake. Dedicated to providing the freshest, most natural ingredients available, Tres Marias sources locally and organically grown foods. This ensures that its house-made meals and products are free of preservatives and additives. Founded in 2004, the market also carries an assortment of packaged goods, such as avocado salsa, bison and beans dip, and imported products like Charras original corn tostadas and El Yucateco XXX Hot sauce.
2006 34 Ave. S.W., tresmarias.ca, @tresmarias_mex
Did You Know?
Marda Loop’s name is a portmanteau (a word blending the sounds and/or meanings of two others) within a portmanteau, hailing from two significant landmarks in the neighbourhood’s history. “Marda” comes from the former Marda Theatre (1953-1988), which is itself a merging of the two founder’s names: Mark and Mada Jenkins. “Loop” is derived from the historic streetcar line that looped around the area between 1913 and 1950. The community’s present name was chosen in 1984.
Listing at a Glance
Listed in the summer by realtor Stephen Gowland for $2.2 million, this six-bedroom, five-bathroom detached home on 38th Avenue and 19th Street S.W. is minutes from Marda Loop’s commercial district. The 2,924-square-foot home features ample natural light and an open floor plan. Walnut hardwood flooring covers the entire main level and the primary bedroom. The family room opens onto an outdoor gathering space with a pergola and built-in barbecue. Enjoy a games area, wet bar, wine cellar and home theatre system in the fully developed lower level.