After Altrincham's House of Fraser shut in 2020 the future of a corner of the town centre seemed somewhat uncertain.
But after almost four years and almost £14 million of investment it is ready to reopen to the public in a matter of weeks.
Foundation, the new name of the development at the end of George Street, is to be a bowling alley on the lower ground floor with eateries on the upper ground floor. Already Starbucks is announced as one of these occupants, and it is set to open next month, while the rest of the occupants are still to be announced.
The other floors are set aside for offices, one of which is occupied by sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE, while among the other features are a living wall with tens of thousands of plants.
Often in a development of this type the eye-catching CGIs do not reflect the reality but this is not the case on this occasion based on the tour of the development attended by The Messenger.
Developer Bruntwood's Head of Commercial, Sharon Johnson said it would be "an anchor in the town centre".
Ms Johnson said: "Altrincham is a destination for companies. The amenity side of it and the after-work social side of it, coupled with the amazing transport, are bringing people to Altrincham.
"People who lives in the city centre come out to work in the town because it is so much more than a workplace."
Already Starbucks has a site at the Sainsbury's Supermarket on Lloyd Street but its inclusion is seen as "a natural choice".
Developer Bruntwood's Head of Retail, James Tootle, said the big brand is to sit alongside a number of independent brands.
Mr Tootle said: "It is about providing people with a choice. For everyone who likes to drink in an independent coffee shop there is someone who like to drink in a Starbucks.
"Starbucks don't have a presence apart from the site at the supermarket so it was a natural choice. From day one bringing in this big brand gives us the guarantee of footfall."
The Starbucks is set to open next month while the bowling alley is set to open in the summer.
Apart from SPORTFIVE, who are on site, the rest of the occupants are still to be announced.
This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here