Australia’s ‘Crypto Castle’ has hosted stars Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman and Martha Stewart, and you can stay there too for almost $25,000 per night.
From hosting film shoots to welcoming Hollywood elites, the beachside mega-mansion in Sydney’s South Coogee has a star-studded history.
And its owner, founder of product comparison website Finder.com.au and cryptocurrency evangelist, Fred Schebesta, has offered a peek behind the velvet rope and revealed what it’s like to live in the ‘Crypto Castle’.
“There’s definitely an energy to it,” the entrepreneur told Realestate.com.au.
“When you know people like Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Dua Lipa and Cate Blanchett have all spent time here, it adds a mystique. It’s like the house has stories of its own.”
It’s this energy that the Finder.com.au founder cites as the main reason behind his $16.85 million purchase of the stunning property in 2021.
"There’s this feeling when you step inside - it’s magic,” said Mr Schebesta. “I’ve never felt that in any other space.”
The 'Crypto Castle' at 14 Bunya Parade, South Coogee was purchased for $16.85 million in 2021. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
The other standout feature of the clifftop home is its proximity to the ocean, with the entire long side of the house facing the water.
“The architecture, the layout, the spirit of the place - it’s completely unlike anything I’ve seen,” he said.
A star-studded history
While the ‘Crypto Castle’ has been a home for Fred and his young family, it’s much more than that - it’s a piece of cultural history.
Long before the entrepreneur owned the enviable slice of real estate, it was already a magnet for A-listers.
Fred Schebesta, the co-founder of comparison website Finder, at his 'Crypto Castle'. Picture: Jane Dempster/The Australian
Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise shot scenes there for the 90s blockbuster movie Eyes Wide Shut, and it has since become a go-to for both film and TV productions.
It’s also been a popular photo location for top-tier brands, including Chanel, Georgio Armani (with Cate Blanchett), Myer and Michael Hill.
Most recent guests include musician Dua Lipa and lifestyle queen, Martha Stewart, who selected the location as a home base during a recent Sydney visit.
“That legacy adds to the creativity of the place,” Mr Schebesta said.
“You feel it, you feel inspired by it… It’s not just a home, it’s a muse.
“There have been several other high-profile celebs recently filming in the castle, but we are unable to share the details until the projects are live.”
A restrained approach to renovation
Despite the extravagant purchase price, the tech guru has taken a restrained approach to updating the property.
“My approach is always to live in the place before making big changes,” he said.
“With this house, it took a long time. It’s big, complex and exposed to the elements right next to the ocean, which means things break, things corrode.
“So, I’ve focused on smart, preventative maintenance. I group smaller jobs together and do them in one go. I replace seals on doors and windows before they become problems.
“I’ve been careful not to touch the structural or architectural bones of the house. The architecture has integrity, and changing it too much could disturb that.”
Ever the entrepreneur, the savvy business owner made the decision to open up his mega-mansion as an exclusive rental - a rental that now claims to be the most expensive Airbnb property in the entire country.
“One of the big drivers [in listing the mansion] was creativity,” he said.
“This space has helped me connect more deeply to my own creativity, and I wanted others to experience that too.”
A forever home
Looking to the future, Schebesta sees the enviable residence as his forever home.
"This isn’t the kind of property you sell, not unless someone comes along with an absolutely wild offer,” he said.
The home's stunning location and striking appearance have made it a popular location for film and TV productions, as well as photo shoots. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
“The amount of time and energy and money it would take to rebuild this is ridiculous — from permits to materials to anchoring it into the cliff — it would be a 10-plus year mission. It’s irreplaceable.”
The experience of living in such a remarkable home with the Pacific Ocean as its backyard isn’t lost on the multi-millionaire.
“Watching the sun rise out of the ocean every morning is surreal,” he said.
“And when it sets, the light wraps around the house in the most cinematic way. It’s magical and I know that I would love to live here forever.”
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