Finder co-founder Fred Schebesta buys South Coogee ‘castle’ for $16.85m

Fred Schebesta, the co-founder and CEO of the comparison website Finder, has been revealed as the $16.85m ‘king’ of a seaside ‘castle’.

14 Bunya Parade, South Coogee, has sold to the Finder co-founder and CEO Fred Schebesta,

Fred Schebesta, the co-founder and CEO of the comparison website, Finder, has been revealed as the new $16.85m ’king’ of a seaside ‘castle’.

The 39-year-old, who went from working in a Pizza Hut call centre as a university student to running a business employing 450 staff in 80 countries and now has a net worth of $214m, was this morning posting pictures of a sunrise at his new Bunya Parade, South Coogee home.

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The castle has five bedrooms and five bathrooms, jaw-dropping ocean views, an infinity pool, sandstone battlements, a gym, rooftop terrace and a wine cellar.

It also featured in the latest series of Foxtel’s hit show Mr Inbetween.

Fred Schebesta, co-founder of comparison website Finder.com, is aged 39.

Incredible views.

Owned for the past 16 years by former Macquarie Bank executive director Laurie Macri and his wife Christine, it sold on May 21 — but the purchaser was a mystery until yesterday’s settlement.

The Marcis had bought the property from former 2GB owner and ad guru John Singleton in 2005 for $7.5m, according to CoreLogic.

At the start of May this year, it was listed with Ballard Property’s Clint Ballard and James Ball, with a $15.5m-$17m guide.

Designer interiors.

Panoramic observatory.

Finder is now a global fintech worth over half a billion dollars with its Finder app now popular around the world.

The spectacular residence was designed with no expense spared by Renato D’Ettorre in the 1990s.

Fine dining.

The previous South Coogee record price had been $10.55m, set last year by a rundown clifftop house at 1 Wolseley Road.

The Bunya Parade residence built from sandstone, concrete, steel and plenty of glass features five bedrooms with jaw-dropping ocean views.

Described as one of the most private oceanfront properties in the eastern suburbs, all the rooms face away from the street towards the ocean.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING — Matt Bell

Originally published as Finder co-founder Fred Schebesta buys South Coogee ‘castle’ for $16.85m