Developers who want a piece of the action in Swansea's biggest makeover for more than 50 years are lining up in their hundreds.
Around 250 of them have been in touch with council bosses saying they are interested in working on the project.
The revamp is the most ambitious since the Germans flattened much of Swansea's old town centre in the Second World War prompting a 1950s building frenzy.
The makeover project was first unveiled just four weeks ago. Now officials have revealed there have been almost 250 inquiries about three key sites.
Council Leader Chris Holley said: "It's very positive news that so many developers have already been in touch and that the launch was so well-received.
"Swansea Council is hoping to attract developers for the St David's and Quadrant shopping centre, land near the Sail Bridge, and Paxton Street and east car parks at County Hall.
So far the Quadrant and St David's site and the Sail Bridge site are attracting the most attention.
Around 130 developers have inquired about the shopping area while another 100 have asked about the possibility of developing flats on the land next to the Tawe.
A detailed vision for the city centre has been produced for the council setting out a number of areas in need of regeneration. Developers have been given until the end of the month to put their names forward for the sites and a preferred partner should be named later this year.
Councillor Holley said: "We expect there'll be a lot more contact by the end of the month and that exciting, innovative ideas will be generated.
"We want to create a vibrant heart to the city centre, to develop a high-quality European boulevard at Oystermouth Road, to better connect the city to the waterfront and to develop complementary districts such as Mansel Street and Alexandra Road.
"The strategy is part of a long-term plan to regenerate the city which many claim has suffered from underinvestment by the private sector for some years.
Peter Birch, vice-chairman and secretary of the Swansea Business Improvement District and chairman of the Swansea Independent Traders Association, said he was delighted with the interest shown in the revamp.
He added: "More is happening in Swansea now than has ever happened in my time here since 1980. There is more money being invested here than in a lot of towns and cities in Britain.
"The city stagnated for so long, but now people are concentrating on the centre again. There was a time when developers were looking at out-of-town areas, but that has stopped and they now want to be involved with the centre and to see that thriving again.
"This council has made a brave decision to get the leisure centre reopened and it is reaping the rewards from that and its vision for Swansea. I am really pleased for the city and the traders who have hung on in here through the hard times. Things are really looking up now and I am happy to be part of that."
