Former La Luna restaurant sold
The Carlton North building which for 26 years until August accommodated celebrity chef Adrian Richardson’s popular La Luna sold this week.
The result for 320 Rathdowne Street – $2.075 million – was 15 per cent over (the $1.8m) guide.
The incoming owner, a local hospitality operator, plans for the family to occupy.
“They’ll look to open a bar/bistro concept after undertaking some renovations,” Fitzroy’s Shane Mills, who marketed the property with James Lockwood and MP Burke Commercial’s Pat Burke.
The vendor paid $365,000 in 1998.
Bar/bistro coming
On 172 square metres at the north east corner of Lee St, the two level building contains 270 sqm, permitted for 110.
“We had a lot of restaurateurs come through keen to take on the existing kitchen infrastructure, perhaps spend some capital to re-energise the property into a fresh concept and then have a restaurant ready to go in a thriving inner-north location,” Mr Lockwood said.
“La Luna exhibited the underlying potential of the location and hospitality operators recognised the generational nature of the opportunity,” according to the executive (story continues below).
“We also had interest from investors, occupiers – both residential and commercial and value-add buyers – looking to repurpose and gain a presence in this sought-after location,” he added.
“The buyer is a local hospitality operator…a family business, and the purchase will enable their children to start their own venture and journey in Rathdowne Village”.
Mr Burke said the incoming owner can apply for a footpath trading permit.
Mr Richardson hosted Channel 10 cooking program Good Chef Bad Chef for 12 years until 2023.
He also co-compered Boys Weekend with other high profile TV cooks, Manu Feildel and Gary Mehigan and Miguel Maestre, and guest starred on MasterChef Australia and Iron Chef America.
His restaurant portfolio includes Brunswick East’s Bouvier Bar, the Gallery Restaurant at Marvel Stadium and Geelong’s Maestro.
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