Developer the Conygar Investment Company confirmed the award which will see McAlpine deliver the £9m Canal Turn first phase.

Construction will include a three-storey 2,000 sqm pavilion on the waterfront featuring two restaurants, around 500 sqm of events space with panoramic views and a large rooftop terrace.

Phase 1A of the scheme is expected to receive full approval from Nottingham City Council in October followed by an immediate start on site and completion by November 2021.

Christopher Ware, property director of Conygar, said: “This is the exciting first phase of The Island Quarter development. We are keen to start on site as soon as planning is granted – in order for us to have the pavilion with its two exciting restaurants open ready before Christmas 2021.

“The ultimate vision is to create a unique place that will be seen as a worldwide destination for Nottingham, providing year-round interest and community facilities and will be a place for Nottingham to come together, to live, work and enjoy.”

Ian Cheung, regional managing director, Sir Robert McAlpine, said: “We are delighted that Conygar has chosen Sir Robert McAlpine to support them in the first phase of their plans for The Island Quarter.

“We have a long tradition of delivering place making projects at the heart of communities.  We are excited to work with Conygar to transform The Island Quarter for the people of Nottingham.”

The overall 40-acre site will be totally transformed to bring new homes, grade A office space, creative spaces, a lifestyle hotel, PRS apartments and co-working space, retail units, a ‘linear’ park and vibrant community and event space as well as student accommodation to the city.