Trafford Council is seeking to appoint a joint venture partner to bring the Graftons Centre shopping mall back to life.
The once-bustling shopping hub, formerly home to the likes of Music Zone Direct, Greggs and Rhode Island Coffee, has been closed for more than three years.
Last October, the council invited expressions of interest from planners and architects to “breathe new life” into the centre, which sits at the junction of George Street and Regent Road.
It is now seeking a developer to work with to create an “exciting mixed-use scheme”.
The council acquired the centre in February 2018.
Cllr James Wright, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration, said: “Altrincham town centre continues to thrive and be a leading example for other town centres throughout the country.
“The Council is now embarking on the next chapter of this exciting programme of change. We were greatly encouraged by the Expressions of Interests that were received for the Centre in October 2018 and we are now looking forward to receiving formal bids to revitalise the Grafton Centre and the upper George Street area of Altrincham.“