By Ken Alltucker
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The owner of Showcase Cinemas said it plans an 18-screen theater in Erlanger as the center of a large complex of shops, restaurants and entertainment at a sprawling 160-acre site.

Dedham, Mass.-based National Amusements said Wednesday that by spring 2006 it will open a massive 80,000-square-foot Cinema de Lux theater that includes amenities such as assigned seating, leather reclining chairs and nationally-known food retailers with alcohol service.

The theater would anchor a large shopping and entertainment complex called Terrace Towne Centre being developed by Indianapolis-based Lauth Property Group at the southwest corner of the intersection of Interstates 275 and 71/75.

National Amusements owns the site. The theater chain also signed a purchase agreement with Lauth, National Amusements spokeswoman Jennifer Hanson said.

Cinema de Lux theaters are now open in Louisville, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Fairfax, Va., with two in New York City. A Cinema de Lux is also planned for Oakley, while National Amusements plans to upgrade its Springdale site to the new concept.

Ashlee Boyd, Lauth's director of leasing, said his firm is working on details of a development plan with Erlanger city officials.

A year ago, Erlanger unveiled a master plan for the site off Donaldson Road in an attempt to spark interest among developers and retailers. In addition to shopping and entertainment, Erlanger's vision called for housing, offices and green space.

National Amusements' announcement comes as two other retail developers plan major projects in Northern Kentucky.

Jeffrey R. Anderson Real Estate is working to transform Crestview Hills Mall into the $70 million outdoor shopping center featuring upscale restaurants.

In nearby Crescent Springs, Montgomery-based Bear Creek Capital recently acquired a mobile-home park that will be demolished and rebuilt as the $56 million Buttermilk Towne Center.

E-mail kalltucker@enquirer.com