Plans to reopen famous Red Hill restaurant revealed

One of Canberra’s most iconic restaurants has been closed – and languishing behind construction fences – for two and half years now.

And no, we’re not talking about the Telstra Tower.

Older Canberrans will remember the Carousel restaurant at the top of Red Hill for its stand-out ‘dodecagon’ mid-century architecture and sweeping views over the city.

An award-winning restaurateur has now revealed her family’s plans to bring it back to its former glory in time for summer.

At its official opening on 6 December 1963, The Canberra Times described 60 Red Hill Drive as “one of Canberra’s most unusual buildings”.

“The Minister for the Navy, Senator [John] Gorton … said the opening of the building was an illustration of the way in which people from overseas were contributing to the growth of Australia.”

Designed by Czech-born architect Miles Jalk, it was the vision of Peter and Lidia Vidovic. Peter hailed from Croatia and Lidia from Poland.

A former head waiter in Melbourne, Peter was running the restaurant at Motel Cortina in Cooma when he learnt of land for sale in Canberra and grabbed the opportunity.

Almost two decades later, the building was closed for renovations overseen by famed architect Dr Enrico Taglietti.

It reopened seven years later on 2 August 1981, and its new convex bay windows were said to be designed in the “style of the year 2001”.

Dr Taglietti added, “We should strive for development that nurtures Canberra’s soul, the very soul that too many developers, politicians, and ill-informed people proclaim does not exist”.

“Canberra’s soul is quality and poetry, not quantity and ‘downtown’ syndrome.”

After Mr and Mrs Vidovic died, their surviving son and daughter sold the site for $2.25 million in May 2021.

“It’s been in the family all these years, and I have strong memories of the place, but it’s too difficult to maintain from Sydney and Melbourne, and neither of us has a desire to move back to Canberra,” the couple’s son Anthony Vidovic told Region at the time.

“We want to find someone who loves it as much as we do so that it will still be there in five years.”

Two and a half years later, the new owners have revealed themselves to be award-winning restaurateur Tracy Keeley and her two sons, Matthew and Nick Keeley.

Tracy is behind the ‘Bookplate’ cafe at the National Library of Australia and ‘Pollen’ at the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

Together, they plan to open two new restaurants in the building in six months: Lunetta and Lunetta Trattoria.

“Our vision is to transform 60 Red Hill Drive into a vibrant destination for locals and visitors alike to experience and appreciate the Canberra spirit, location and hospitality,” Ms Keeley said.

Sydney architecture studio ACME is leading the refurbishment and promises a “contemporary, timeless and classic interpretation of this modernist monument”.

Ms Keeley added that the design would also pay homage to the building’s history through “carefully considered and quality, textured design details”.

It’s understood that Lunetta, offering a “modern dining experience,” will be located on the top floor, while the “flexible” and “casual” Lunetta Trattoria will be at the bottom, along with outdoor dining options.

They say the “Italian-inspired menu is created to share, indoors or out, day or night in a warm and welcoming space”.

“Lunetta heralds a new age for a Canberra icon,” Ms Keeley said.

“Lunetta will reflect the timeless wonder of that era while providing visitors with a memorable dining experience for all the right reasons: good, wholesome food, warm ambience, genuine hospitality, connection, location, attention to detail and a sense of being at ease in a special place.”