More than 600 architects, including many from abroad, have expressed interest in designing new visitor facilities at the Giant's Causeway in Co Antrim.
The North's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment has sought design ideas for what Under Secretary of State Angela Smith described yesterday as: "a world-class facility which will complement the natural beauty of the causeway and which is in keeping with its status as a world heritage site".
She added: "The completion of the new centre will not only add to the visitor experience, but will boost the entire Northern Ireland economy."
The former centre was destroyed by fire in 2000. A temporary facility has been in place since. Its replacement will be about 1,800sq m (19,375sq ft) and will accommodate about 400,000 visitors annually.
Designs must be submitted by August 5th and the competition will be conducted under the rules of the Union of International Architects with a judging panel chosen from across Europe.
The winner will be announced in the autumn. A prize of £10,000 (€14,700) will go the successful entry, £7,000 (€10,300) will go to the runner-up and £4,000 (€5,880) will be given to the third-placed entrant.
The 600 architects who have expressed an interest in the competition are to receive a copy of the brief which sets out the competition rules, a description of the site, the size of the building and its functions and the requirements for exhibitions, retailing, catering and tourist information.
Ms Smith said she was delighted at the level of responses so far since the competition was announced in March.
This is the first time the Union of International Architects, based in Paris, has been engaged in an official capacity for a design competition in Northern Ireland.