The Cordish Companies and Spark Celebrate First Year in Baltimore, Announce Plans for Major Expansion
For Immediate Release
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THE CORDISH COMPANIES AND SPARK CELEBRATE FIRST YEAR IN BALTIMORE, ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR MAJOR EXPANSION
BALTIMORE, MD (February 3, 2017) –The Cordish Companies yesterday marked the first anniversary of Spark--Baltimore’s premiere collaborative co-working space--with a major celebration and the announcement of a substantial Phase II expansion. Spark, launched in 2016 at The Offices at Power Plant Live!, now houses 84 companies totaling over 250 members in a diverse community of entrepreneurial industries, including advertising, biotechnology, cyber security, education technology and software/mobile development.
In 2016, Spark achieved a remarkable number of achievements:
• Awarded the 2016 Downtown Baltimore Award by the Downtown Partnership in the Innovative Technology Category
• Featured by Inc. Magazine as one of Baltimore’s 15 Snazziest Offices
• Partnered with the World Trade Center Institute, an organization focused on bringing international business initiatives to Maryland, to host their 2016-2017 Taste of Business Series
• Partnered with Village Capital to bring the organizations 2016 US education venture development program to Baltimore
• Named an official tour stop for Startup Maryland’s 2017 Pitch Across Maryland Tour
• Hosted the East Coast debut screening of Startup Maryland’s STRT1UP documentary
• Partnered with Betamore to host their Applications of Data Science Academy course
• Featured in the Cover Story for Baltimore Innovation Week 2016
“Our vision for Spark was to provide local entrepreneurs an affordable and effective environment for entrepreneurial businesses to grow and thrive,” said Beth Boots Workman, Director of Operations for Spark. “We’ve clearly accomplished that. We’re honored to play an important role in helping our members do remarkable things for our community, our city, and our state.”
“The Cordish Companies has been such an important asset to the City and a fantastic partner to the Downtown Partnership for years,” said Kirby Fowler, President of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore. “They have played a central part in the rebirth of the Inner Harbor – first with the Power Plant building, then with Power Plant Live!, and now with Spark as an entrepreneurial hub for Baltimore and the state.”
“Spark has been a huge win for the City of Baltimore and has become central to our startup ecosystem,” stated Catherine Pugh, Mayor of Baltimore. “We applaud The Cordish Companies for their vision and execution in building a vibrant place for entrepreneurs to locate and grow their businesses in the City.”
With the success of Spark’s inaugural year in Baltimore, The Cordish Companies and Spark also announced plans to expand Spark’s co-working space in 2017 to double its current size. Spark’s second phase is expected to open in May 2017. “We’re thrilled to continue to invest in our city and its growing entrepreneurial base,” said Jonathan Cordish, a Principal at Cordish.
If interested in learning more and scheduling a tour, please contact the Spark team at info@spark-bmore.com.
About The Cordish Companies
The Cordish Companies’ origins date back to 1910 and encompass four generations of privately-held, family ownership. During the past ten decades, The Cordish Companies has grown into a global leader in Commercial Real Estate; Coworking Spaces; Entertainment Districts; Gaming; Hotels; International Development; Private Equity; Residential; Restaurants; and Sports-Anchored Developments. One of the largest and most respected developers in the world, The Cordish Companies has been awarded an unprecedented seven Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence for public-private developments that are of unique significance to the cities in which they are located. Prime examples are The Cordish Companies’ prominent role in the redevelopment of Baltimore’s world famous Inner Harbor; Philadelphia, PA; Atlantic City, NJ; Charleston, SC; Houston, TX; Louisville, KY; Kansas City, MO and St. Louis, MO. In addition, The Cordish Companies has developed and operates multiple highly acclaimed entertainment destinations throughout the United States which welcome over 50 million visitors per year and are the most visited destinations in their respective regions. Over the generations, The Cordish Companies has remained true to the family’s core values of quality, entrepreneurial spirit, long-term personal relationships and integrity. As a testimony to the long-term vision of its family leadership, The Cordish Companies still owns and manages virtually every business it has created. For more information visit www.cordish.com or follow us on Twitter (@cordishco).
“The Cordish Companies,” “The Cordish Company” and “Cordish” are trademarks used under license by independent corporations, legal liability companies and partnerships (“Cordish Entities”). Each Cordish Entity is a separate, single-purpose legal entity that is solely responsible for its obligations and liabilities. No common operations or financial interdependency, and no intermingling of assets or liabilities of the Cordish Entities exists, or should be deemed to exist, as a result of the potential common reference to multiple independent entities operating under the names “Cordish,” “The Cordish Companies” or “The Cordish Company” here or elsewhere.
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