Buildings are to be demolished to make way for grass in Kilmarnock’s King Street.
East Ayrshire Council has shelled out £500,000 on buying numbers 121 to 135 on the town's main the shopping strip.
Charity shops are currently moving out of the units before the site is razed to the ground.
Finance chiefs have also purchased the 'white tile' building on the street for £250,000.
Council bosses want to reduce the number of empty shops in the centre as part of efforts to regenerate the town.
Gwen Barker, council policy, planning and performance manager, said: “We are currently decanting the charity shops and the sole remaining business from 121 to 135 King Street.
“This site will be demolished, flattened and grassed, reducing the size of the core retail offer in Kilmarnock with a focus on King Street, Bank Street and the Burns Mall.”
Ms Barker added: “We are also preparing a funding application for regeneration capital grant funding for the unit at 25 to 31 King Street, to allow us to repurpose the former white tile building.”
It is hoped to convert the property into studios and shops for creative entrepreneurs if the council wins £650,000 Scottish Government cash.
The council will find out in January 2020 if the money has been granted.
The building would provide shop units on the ground floor with the upper levels offering workspace.
Meanwhile, the local authority is still looking for a town centre location for a proposed health and wellbeing hub. Health workers would be based at the premises, which could also boast a spa.
Ms Barker said: “We will explore sites for the proposed health and wellbeing hub over the coming months once we have developed a more detailed design.”
