Carlton North: Celeb chef Adrian Richardson’s ex-La Luna bistro premises sold
Chef Adrian Richardson of La Luna, which shut last year. Its Rathdowne St premises has now sold to a new owner. Picture: David Caird.
The Carlton North former premises of celebrity chef Adrian Richardson’s La Luna restaurant has been snapped up for $2.075m – and the news owners are cooking up big plans for the site.
Mr Richardson’s bistro was a tenant of the double-storey building at 320 Rathdowne St for more than two decades.
In 2024, Mr Richardson shut up shop to focus on his other ventures including Geelong steakhouse Maestro, Brunswick East’s Bouvier Bar and Marvel Stadium’s Gallery Restaurant.
RELATED: Vacant East Melbourne day hospital sold to off shore investors for around $10m
Top Aussie brothel hopes for second time lucky
Australia Post Glenroy site sells for $3.3 million
Mr Richardson also has a prolific television resume, hosting Channel 10’s Good Chef Bad Chef program from 2011 to 2023.
He guest starred on MasterChef Australia and Iron Chef America and co-hosted the Boys Weekend series alongside fellow chefs Manu Feildel, Gary Mehigan and Miguel Maestre.
Real estate firm Fitzroys’ Shane Mills and James Lockwood and MP Burke Commercial’s Pat Burke managed the sales campaign for La Luna’s ex-home, which has a permit to host 110 patrons.
“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.
“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.”
320 Rathdowne St, Carlton North, is part of an area known as the Rathdowne Village.
Chef Adrian Richardson at La Luna in Carlton, preparing for the High Steaks event that was part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2022. Picture: David Caird.
A large crowd watched as the site went under the hammer, with a local hospitality operator emerging as the successful buyer, last month.
“They’re a family business, and the purchase will enable their children to start their own venture and journey in Rathdowne Village,” Mr Mills said.
“They’ll look to open a bar/bistro concept, after undertaking some renovations to suit their
concept.”
Adrian Richardson with fellow chefs Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge when they all took part in the Taste of Sheraton event, series of lunches held by the famous hotel chain. Picture: Supplied.
The new owners are planning to renovate and reopen the Rathdowne St premises.
He described the sale as a “truly generational deal”.
“The campaign marked the first time in 37 years the property had been for sale, while La Luna finished serving diners in August last year after 26 years at the location,” he added.
And Mr Burke said the local community was delighted to see the next generation of family
hospitality operators seeking to establish a new business in the Carlton North precinct.
Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox.
MORE: Woolies’ war erupts over abandoned house
Home sales rise but experts fear Victoria’s landlord exodus will be a blow for state budget
Kallista: Manna Gum House, designed by Alistair Knox has Hollywood Hills grandeur
