The process of finding a builder for the Broadmarsh centre revamp has been started by Nottingham City Council.
The £75m project was given full planning permission in December last year and building work is expected to start later this year.
The council is now asking developers to put forward formal proposals to bring the project to life.
The authority only owns a third of the site alongside retail giant intu, but is in charge of starting the process.
Councillor Nick McDonald, the council’s portfolio holder for growth, said: “We’re really pleased to see progress on the intu Broadmarsh Centre.
“We want to give people more reasons to stay in the city centre and see what Nottingham has to offer, and intu’s work on bringing new retail and leisure vendors to the Broadmarsh Centre aligns with that and will make the city centre even better.
“The Southern Gateway Scheme, of which the Broadmarsh Centre development is a key part, is the biggest regeneration project in a generation, and will transform Nottingham and stimulate growth and jobs.”
A spokesman for intu said: “Our plans for intu Broadmarsh complement the existing retail and leisure offering at intu Victoria Centre as well as the wider city.
“We have worked with Nottingham City Council to align with their vision and to ensure that our development works in collaboration with the rest of the city, improving access and connectivity throughout.”
Although the building work on the centre will cost £75 million the entire ‘Southern Gateway Scheme’ will cost £150 million.
It includes a walkway from the shopping centre to the train station and the pedestrianisation of Collin Street.
The Broadmarsh Car Park, which is owned outright by the council, will also be overhauled.
Intu hopes to open the redeveloped centre by 2018.