North West developers Muse and Orbit have been shortlisted to partner Stockport council on a £100m town centre regeneration project.
The council aims to transform a 12-acre site, comprising the 76,000 sq ft Grand Central leisure scheme, into as much as 250,000 sq ft of offices, plus a hotel and car park.
The Grand Central complex was once the subject of redevelopment proposals by Targetfollow. The council bought it in January from administrators at Deloitte for £15m. In April, it instructed DTZ to find a development partner.
The scheme will form part of a £500m town centre revamp that is being driven by council leader Dave Goddard and chief executive Eamonn Boylan.
Greater Manchester-based Muse Developments is also behind mixed-use regeneration plans for sites in Salford, Blackpool, Chester and Warrington.
Orbit Developments controls a 7.5m sq ft portfolio, including the mixed-use Middlebrook Park, which adjoins Bolton’s Reebok Stadium.
A decision will be made on the successful party by the end of the year.
daniel.cunningham@estatesgazette.com