Tekapo businessman Anthony Tosswill said, when contacted, he blamed recent Otago Daily Times coverage for a public backlash against the latest design.
The response left him with ''no choice'' but to go back to the drawing board again.
''We are now having to come up with a whole new design, and as a developer, spend an immense amount more money to be able to lodge a new design for approval,''
Mr Tosswill would not confirm his next steps or give a timeline, but said he was not giving up.
''I'm going to give Dunedin one more chance.''
His comments came after a panel of independent commissioners last year declined consent for the hotel project, prompting Mr Tosswill's appeal to the Environment Court.
Mediation talks were adjourned earlier this year, to allow a revised design to be tabled in an attempt to reach agreement.
Mr Tosswill unveiled a revised design last week, but said he was not happy with the changes, which he described as ''terrible''.
His team had until today to file an update with the court, but instead, in a memorandum filed yesterday, said they were ''not in a position to present a set of revised plans for mediation''.
The ''most appropriate way forward'' was to proceed with a fresh application, possibly by way of a request for direct referral to the court, it said.
Otago Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dougal McGowan said, when contacted, he remained hopeful a new, visually appealing and financially sustainable design would emerge.
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Comments
Wake up DCC and the nah sayers - don't look a gift horse in the mouth you have snoozed too long on this and will lose. DCC you have bent the rules on other stuff around the city and haven't raised an eye brow. The water area development has been fast tracked, yet a gentleman running for council last times had a vision of developing the harbour basin all by various private investments, that was poo poo'ed as well.- instead you are going to put Dunedin rate payers in to a a huge debit with noway out, and no employment streams to enjoy the place. Better idea get the employment in Dunedin first then Develop the Harbour basin and a Hotel of this sort is a way to start the ball rolling with out the huge debit on Rate payers.
Please Mr Toswill, give us one more chance - pretty please. We promise to play fair and not take the mickey out of your rubbish designs.
Dunedin does not owe you a living mate.
For Dunedin's sake give up man! I suppose if it's not your money you can keep spending. Lucky you and lucky lawyer. Why not put these dollars into the Brandenburg harbour 5star hotel and make everybody happy?