Portuguese, Italian and Mexican restaurants will join
Cinemark Theatres at the $85 million Towson Square project, expected to generate more than 1,500 jobs.
Plans for the theater have also been revised, with 15 screens instead of the original 16, county officials and developers said at a news conference Tuesday. The theater will be one of two in the country to feature a VIP seating section with private bar access and premium food. Work on the 850-space parking garage will finish in the fall and the entire Towson Square project will open in 2014.
Nando’s Peri-Peri,
La Tagliatella and
On the Border Mexican Grill and Cantina will open at the development, along with five other eateries that have yet to be unveiled. A South African-based franchise that sells flame-grilled Portuguese-style chicken, Nando's has restaurants in Annapolis, Gambrills, National Harbor, Silver Spring and Gaithersburg.
La Tagliatella is a European chain that is owned by
AmRest Holding SE, which bills itself as the largest independent restaurant operator in Central and Eastern Europe. This would be the first La Tagliatella in Maryland and the fourth in the US.
The development may include some retail, but the center will be predominantly entertainment focused, said Cordish Cos. Vice President Blake Cordish.
Branding Towson as an area that can attract folks outside the county was a major theme at the news conference.
"We’ve put together a collection of amenities that would be a regional draw,” Cordish said.
Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz engaged in a little light-hearted rivalry with Bethesda, saying he’s tired of hearing about Bethesda’s wonderful amenities and strong business community.
“Guess what folks? We’re certainly a livable and loveable jurisdiction. We are going to make Towson a regional destination.”
Writer: Amy Landsman
Sources: Blake Cordish, Cordish Cos; Kevin Kamenetz, Baltimore County Executive