Marda Loop business district · Development news
Marc and Mada Block: What the Approved Permit Means for Marda Loop
The development permit for 33 Avenue and 20 Street SW was approved on 24 September 2026. Here is what was approved, how it got there, and what it changes for owners in Altadore, Garrison Woods and South Calgary.
The decision
Approved 6–1 by Calgary Planning Commission
On 24 September 2026, Calgary Planning Commission approved the development permit for the Marc and Mada Block, a 1.76-acre redevelopment at 33 Avenue and 20 Street SW (development permit DP2024-08395, 2121 33 Avenue SW). According to Calgary Herald reporting of the 24 September decision, the vote was 6–1.
The decision ends a process that ran for most of two years and settles the shape of what gets built on one of the most visible corners in the Marda Loop business district. The site sits in the South Calgary community. For owners in Altadore, Garrison Woods and South Calgary, it also answers a question that has been sitting under every conversation about the area since the rezoning went through: how tall, and how many.
What was approved
One building, three phases, three height elements
The City's permit record describes the project as a single building delivered in three phases. It steps down toward the residential streets. According to Calgary Herald reporting of the 24 September decision:
| Frontage | Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 33 Avenue SW | 6 storeys | Lowest element, facing the main street |
| 20 Street SW | 19 storeys | Tallest element |
| 34 Avenue SW | 19 storeys stepping to 11 | Transition toward the residential edge |
The approved permit covers 343 homes, from studios to three-bedroom units, of which 17 are designated below-market. At grade, the project includes a Calgary Co-op of about 26,000 square feet and roughly 11,265 square feet of additional street-level retail and restaurant space.
Certain rooftop amenities that would have exceeded the maximum height were removed from the permit before approval. The site's Direct Control district does not allow the height limit to be relaxed. That detail is worth noting, because it tells you the height numbers were a real constraint rather than a formality.
How it got here
Rezoning first, then the permit
City council approved the rezoning for the site on 15 July 2025, by a vote of 13–1. The development permit is the second and more detailed approval: rezoning settles what class of building is allowed, the permit settles the actual building.
Public response was heavily against. According to Calgary Herald reporting of the 24 September decision, the file drew 317 letters of opposition against 19 in support, alongside a petition carrying 277 signatures. The commission approved it anyway, 6–1.
Appeal status
The approval is not final yet
As of 29 September 2026, the City lists the permit as "In Advertising" and has not yet posted public notice of the decision. Once that notice is posted, persons affected by the permit have 21 days to appeal to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, and the permit is not released until that period ends.
No appeal has been reported. This page will be updated with the exact date the appeal period closes as soon as the City posts the notice.
At a glance
If you own nearby
What it means for Altadore, Garrison Woods and South Calgary
Three honest observations, none of which resolve into a simple good or bad.
Grocery anchoring is a durable amenity
A 26,000 square foot Co-op at 33 and 20 is the kind of anchor that holds foot traffic for decades. Walkable grocery access is one of the few amenities that shows up consistently in what buyers will pay for, and it does not go out of fashion.
Construction disruption is the near-term cost
This district has reason to be wary of it. In June 2025, a proposed $75 million class action against the City was made public on behalf of Marda Loop businesses, over the two-year main streets construction project. The claim has not been certified or proven. That project was substantially complete in October 2025. A redevelopment of this size on the same corridor means more years of hoarding, closed lanes and dust.
Density at the centre usually firms up the streets around it
More people within walking distance supports the restaurants and shops, and the low-rise streets next to a walkable centre have tended to hold value rather than lose it. This is a pattern, not a promise, and it is the part of this page where you should talk to someone who watches these specific streets.
Still unknown
What has not been announced
- No construction start date has been announced
- No pricing or unit breakdown has been released
- Whether the approval is appealed
- How construction staging will affect 33 Avenue access
Marc and Mada FAQ
Common questions about the Marc and Mada Block
Has the Marc and Mada Block been approved?
Yes. Calgary Planning Commission approved the development permit on 24 September 2026 by a vote of 6–1, according to Calgary Herald reporting. The approval is subject to a 21-day appeal period that starts when the City posts public notice of the decision. Council approved the rezoning for the site on 15 July 2025.
How tall are the Marc and Mada towers?
According to Calgary Herald reporting of the decision, the approved permit has three height elements: six storeys along 33 Avenue SW, 19 storeys on 20 Street SW, and a 19-storey element stepping down to 11 storeys toward 34 Avenue SW.
How many homes will Marc and Mada have?
343, including 17 designated below-market, according to Calgary Herald reporting of the approved permit.
Will there be a grocery store at Marc and Mada?
Yes. The approved permit includes a Calgary Co-op of about 26,000 square feet at grade, plus roughly 11,265 square feet of other street-level retail and restaurant space, according to Calgary Herald reporting.
Can the Marc and Mada approval be appealed?
Yes. Persons affected by the permit have 21 days to appeal to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, counted from the date the City posts public notice of the decision. As of 29 September 2026 the notice had not been posted and no appeal had been reported.
When does construction start on Marc and Mada?
No construction timeline was included in the approval and none has been announced.
Did people object to the Marc and Mada development?
Yes, substantially. According to Calgary Herald reporting, the file drew 317 letters of opposition against 19 in support, along with a 277-signature petition. The planning commission approved it 6–1.
Around the business district
Explore the communities around Marda Loop
Sources
- Calgary Herald reporting of the 24 September 2026 Calgary Planning Commission decision
- City of Calgary development permit record, DP2024-08395 (City of Calgary open data, retrieved 29 September 2026)
- City of Calgary development permit public notices
- Calgary Subdivision and Development Appeal Board
I am a REALTOR®, not a planner. For anything you are about to spend money on, confirm it with the City directly.
Own near 33 Avenue?
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If you are weighing whether to sell, hold or buy near the Marc and Mada Block, the answer depends on the specific block, not the headline.
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