Restaurateur Murray Macarthy owns a chain of 15 Thai restaurants, including one on the Esplanade and another opening shortly in George St, and recently opened a Christchurch cooking school.
He bought the rundown St Clair dairy, sandwiched between the Metropole and Hydro buildings, in early 2001 and later demolished it but, despite several plans to build on the site, nothing has eventuated.
"No, we’re not starting there. Maybe when we get the time," he said when contacted yesterday.
About two years ago, a three-storey, multi-purpose building costing more than $3 million, with access off both Forbury Rd and Bedford St, was proposed.
Since those plans were announced, Mr Macarthy had opened a further three premises, including the cooking school.
He had no time-frame in mind for making use of the St Clair site.
