CitySand '24
Grab Your Buckets and Shovels… CitySand is back!
(BALTIMORE CITY, MD) — CitySand, an annual sand sculpture competition that began in 1989 at Harborplace and returned to the Inner Harbor after a 10+ year hiatus in 2023, is back again in 2024. This legacy Harborplace event hosted by the Baltimore Architecture Foundation (BAF), MCB Real Estate/Harborplace, Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore and Southway Builders, will take place on Saturday, June 22 from 11am-3pm at the Harborplace Amphitheatre between the Light Street and Pratt Street Pavilions. The creations will be judged starting at 2:30pm that day with the winning team receiving the “coveted” Golden Shovel Award. The public will also get to vote for their favorite with a “People’s Choice” winner being announced.
Teams are comprised of local design firms, architects, landscape designers and more. Each team will be provided with an area of sand approximately 10’ x 10’ x 1’ thick (3.7 cubic yards) from which to build on the theme of “Celebrating Baltimore’s Neighborhoods”.
"Throughout our year and a half long community engagement process, we consistently heard the importance of multigenerational waterfront activations. We are bringing back CitySand for a second year because we had such success last year, engaging with the local community and seeing the creativity of our industry," said P. David Bramble, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of MCB Real Estate. "We look forward to seeing how each team will incorporate this year's Baltimore Neighborhood theme and we welcome the community to come down to see the talents, imagination, and ingenuity of these amazing teams."
“Building sandcastles isn’t just for the beach. What a perfect location at Harborplace Amphitheater to bring back this popular summer event. It’s where adults can “play in the sand,” participate in a friendly competition and raise funds for the Baltimore Architectural Foundation,” said Nakita Reed, BAF Board President.
Participating teams hail from Architecture By Design, BCT Design Group, Design Collective, Gensler, Hanbury, LandDesign, Moffat Nichol, Moseley Architects and Ruppert Landscape.
“We are proud to support CitySand ’24, This family-friendly event provides an outlet for local architects, design firms and landscape designers to shine, using their own unique vision and ideas. Watching the teams start from nothing but a pile of sand and then observing as they create a beautiful sand sculpture is delightful for local residents as well as tourists, said Willy Moore, CEO of Southway Builders (primary sponsor).
Each team is to provide its own forms, shovels, tools, and buckets. No power tools, paint, additives, armatures, frameworks, or accessories are allowed. Only sand and water are permitted. Water is available at the site. Only 12 teams will be able to participate, with a maximum of 8 people per team.
The event benefits the Baltimore Architecture Foundation, 501c (3) non-profit organization that encourages people to explore Baltimore’s architectural history and future through tours, lectures, educational programs for adults and kids, exhibitions, research, and publications.
Additional CitySand ’24 sponsors include STV, Gray and Son, C.L. McCoy Framing Co. Inc., Carter Lumber and ER&M (Ecological Restoration & Management).
The Baltimore Architecture Foundation (f. 1987) is a 501c (3) non-profit organization that celebrates design and the built environment. BAF reaches thousands of people with its programs and initiatives, from Doors Open Baltimore to Future Architect Resources/Kids In Design. This organization is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org).
About MCB Real Estate
Founded in 2007, MCB Real Estate is a community-centric, privately held institutional investment management firm headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. MCB boasts a nationwide portfolio of $3 Billion Assets Under Management totaling approximately 15 million square-feet. of industrial, office, retail, mixed-use, multi-family and life sciences properties with almost four million square-feet in its development pipeline. The firm offers a seamlessly integrated suite of commercial real estate investment services, including development, construction, property management, asset management, acquisitions, and legal expertise, thus ensuring comprehensive support throughout every stage of an asset’s lifecycle. www.mcbrealestate.com
