Retail property developer Hammerson announced the start date yesterday at the MIPIM property conference in Cannes.
The scheme will deliver a 21,000m² John Lewis store, and a retail arcade linking to the city's existing Victoria Quarter.
Hammerson chief executive David Atkins said: “A huge amount of hard work and commitment from the team, the council and John Lewis has enabled us to reach this point.”
Completion is scheduled for 2016.
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