The 20-acre scheme, being delivered by the city council along with Ask, is part of an £80m investment in the First Street area of the city.

Enabling works on the 60,000 sq ft culture centre are due to start before the end of the year.

Once finished the building will incorporate two theatres with seating capacities of 500 and 150 respectively, five cinema screens, together with galleries and restaurants, overlooking a new outdoor performance space.

Buro Four has been appointed as strategic project manager for First Street North.

Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “The scheme is progressing at an incredible pace and it won’t be long before the new centre starts making an enormous contribution to the cultural scene in Manchester, the North West and the UK as a whole.”

Ask Developments CEO Ken Knott said: “The momentum is really building now and our joint plans with Manchester City Council will soon become a reality.

“We believe that First Street North will become a genuinely unique, colourful and vibrant place capable of attracting a wide range of leisure, hotel and associated activities.

“The new cultural facility will form the centrepiece of this new destination, creating a distinct feel and atmosphere in this part of the city.”

Ask also submitted a planning application for First Street South, which will see a supermarket, hotel, student accommodation, restaurants and bars built.