Newcastle city council and university are now moving ahead with what will become the biggest project to be seen in the city centre for over a decade.
McAlpine, which fought off rivals Miller, Bam Construct and Graham Construction, is due to start work in May on the new urban quarter on the former Scottish and Newcastle brewery.
Over the next 15 years, Science Central will act as a science and technology hub combining sustainable commercial, residential, retail and leisure space.
The first phase of the Science Central project is expected to cost around £15m to build and will involve surrounding earthworks, drainage, utility supplies as well as a 50,000 sq ft office building.
This will act as a specialist business support hub for small start-up science companies as well as inward investors.
A design team is already in place including architect Faulkner Browns, engineer Mott MacDonald and landscape architect Land Use Consultants to take the scheme forward to RIBA stage E.