Dane Catherwood, of Owaka, has recently bought the buildings at 4, 6 and 8 Waikawa Rd, which used to house the old Owaka Museum and Catlins Quilts.
An architect would be employed to connect the buildings, which would turn Owaka into a tourist stop by providing an art gallery as an attraction.
It would also be developed as an adventure centre, where existing tourist operators could base themselves, Mr Catherwood said.
He estimated it would cost about $200,000 to renovate and develop the site.
He hoped to have the gallery, which would be housed in the old museum, open by October 1.
Mr Catherwood and Pounawea potter Jude Winchester were stripping the interior of the old museum building back to its bare bricks.
Ms Winchester, who will co-ordinate the artists, said the gallery would be fitted with a fireplace and a comfortable seating area for visitors to "mooch" in.
Stone, bone and wood carvers would have a dust room with an extractor fan, which would have glass panels so visitors could watch the carvers at work.
There would also be a kiln out the back, and tables for potters, painters, quilters or whoever wished to use the space, she said.
Mr Catherwood plans to charge a commission on the art produced there to cover the use and maintenance of the building.
Mr Catherwood was aiming to have the gallery and adventure centre open by December.
