The first phase of the project includes a 100,000 sq ft office building and library, which will be occupied by the council as the anchor tenant.
Sir Robert McAlpine, Laing O’Rourke and McLaren Construction are among the firms vying for the £20m building project, which also includes a large public square in the city.
The site has already been cleared under an earlier enabling works contract and building should get underway in the summer.
Mike Smith, partner at Genr8 Developments, said: “This is an important milestone in the delivery of the Central Business District and we welcome the planning committee’s decision, which will now enable us to make a real start on site in the summer.
“These first phase proposals will be the vital catalyst in attracting new business investment to the city centre and stimulating the economic regeneration of the whole area.”
RHWL is masterplanner and the first phase architect.