By now, everybody probably knows about Casa Faten, a new Coronado Cays dwelling also known as the “jet house” because it is being built with a fuselage on the roof. It’s already triggered a lawsuit filed by neighbors.
To some, the home at 15 Sandpiper Strand is an eccentricity within the developer’s rights to build; to others, it is a gaudy magnet for unwanted attention.
The lawsuit claims that “formal” renderings of the jet were never presented to the Coronado Cays Homeowners Association (HOA), and that such a feature would “compromise the community’s quiet character.”
But, while the neighborhood debates the aesthetics of a partial plane in the Cays, a much more confusing story emerges from the man behind the project.
Who is Donatello Bonasera?
The developer presents himself as Donatello Bonasera, an extraordinary artist, jewelry-maker and opulent real-estate mogul.
But the name appears to be a pseudonym, and public records suggest that the man responsible for the jet house is actually named Abdulelah Abdullah Albussier. (The last name is spelled “Al Busseir” in some documents.)
In person and via websites, Bonasera takes pride in being elusive and taciturn, not giving away anything about his personal life. “To live happily, live hidden,” says a French mantra on his Instagram bio. A strange sentiment for a man mounting the body of an aircraft on his roof.
In fact, Bonasera saturates the internet with vainglorious articles about his genius, renowned works of art made of pure gold and architectural masterpieces. The articles appear in various publications, but are typically labeled as promotional content. No mainstream news stories could be found concerning his artistic accomplishments.
His works are touted as extremely rare and featured in private collections, but there seem to be no expert evaluations or gallery exhibitions.
His real estate ventures are also mysterious.
Donatello Bonasera Development LLC, the business entity behind Casa Faten, boasts that the namesake artist and architect has designed masterful skyscrapers and luxury high-rises, but there isn’t a single name or address for these buildings.
Moreover, two of the pictures representing his constructions aren’t even his own designs.
The image next to “high-end luxury residences” is a photo of One New Change, a shopping mall in London. St. Paul’s Cathedral can be seen in the reflection. One New Change was designed and constructed by an entirely different team.
The image next to “bespoke bunkers” is of an underground tunnel in Montréal, Canada. It connects the International Civil Aviation Organization museum building to an underground city, a maze of shops, attractions and more located right under the streets of downtown Montréal. It was designed in the early 1960s, also by a completely different person.
Bonasera and his elite enterprises don’t seem to exist outside of what looks like his own endorsements.
Except for, potentially, the jet house.
Casa Faten
When completed, the jet house will be composed of two floors and an open rooftop. The first floor has enormous windows overlooking San Diego Bay, where Bonasera’s team says his 100-foot dock currently is the base for his yacht.
However, The Coronado News visited the construction site and didn’t see a yacht.
When a reporter visited the jet house construction site, Bonasera was present. He drove a black Tesla Model Y and wore a plain white t-shirt. He seemed to be overseeing construction that day.
He appeared busy but waved down a reporter and said he wanted to make sure The Coronado News was getting the information needed.
Bonasera still declined to answer a number of questions, referring them to his “team.” But he did reveal that he is collaborating with Bugatti, a French auto maker, and intends to place a luxury sports car in his living room.
Meanwhile, according to Bonasera, the dwelling’s rooftop will have glass walls on three sides, a putting green, plus two other standout features.
The planned centerpiece – not yet installed – is the fuselage of a Gulfstream G550, positioned at the building’s edge for an unobstructed view and “seamlessly integrated as part of the architectural narrative,” said his team.
The second feature is a sculpture of a $1,000,000 bill made from mosaic marble. (The U.S. Treasury has never printed bills in the million-dollar denomination.) Floor plans show that, from above, the entire installation perfectly replicates a banknote.
Bonasera’s team said the entire project would cost $30 million and is about three or four months from being completed.
His team also addressed the concerns about the house: “Any objection not rooted in a code violation is simply an opinion. While opinions may be expressed, they do not impact construction or the progression of an approved project.”
Bonasera said he is building four other homes in the Cays, and one of them will have a helipad on the roof. He did not provide more information on the other projects.
The Coronado News viewed architectural plans, renderings and documents which were approved by the city and the Coronado Cays HOA.
The city did not respond to questions about the project, and the HOA declined to comment.
Faten Alsafadi
While Bonasera was reticent to answer certain questions about the project – and any inquiries about his life, he disclosed that the 15 Sandpiper Strand residence is named for his mother who had cancer.
Faten Alsafadi at one time was listed as owner of the Sandpiper Strand property, and she appears as a manager on some corporate records associated with Bonasera.
He explained that he proudly features her first name throughout his art, jewelry and real estate ventures. For example, gold jewelry works by Bonasera are marketed on a website known as “La Faten” (LA FATÉN | La Faten), including a Fleur Pendant for $200,000 and a Jardin Bangle for $280,000. One cannot simply buy his jewelry, however, there is an application process to be selected to purchase a piece.
In just a few days on Mother’s Day, Bonasera said he would be announcing a foundation he created in honor of his mother for mothers and children going through cancer.
Bonasera said the foundation has been completely self-funded and he contributed $100,000. La Faten Foundation already has a website (The Story – LA FATEN) and is incorporated, according to the California Secretary of State’s website. However, to date it does not appear to have 501-C3 status with the Internal Revenue Service.
The Sandpiper property belonged to “Alsafadi Faten 2021 Trust” before being acquired by Solvency Ca LLC and then moved to “Abdulelah Albusseir 2023 Trust and Alsafadi,” which is listed as the current owner.
Solvency Ca LLC seems to be the business entity which the project is under, with most permit applications and documents listing Solvency Ca LLC as the property owner.
There is also a business listed with Alsafadi as the manager: F Penthouse LLC at 1020 Isabella Ave. on Coronado. This address is connected to Solvency Ca LLC and Donatello Bonasera Development LLC, with building documents acquired by The Coronado News listing 1020 Isabella Avenue and 15 Sandpiper Strand as these businesses’ addresses.
Who is Abdulelah Abdullah Albusseir?
Which brings the whole story back to Abdulelah Albusseir. He is a Saudi Arabian man identified on records of the jet house as the owner, the manager of Solvency Ca LLC and manager of Donatello Bonasera Development LLC.
Bonasera told The Coronado News he did not know who Albusseir was.
The denial is particularly curious since he is listed as the manager of the development company and because Albusseir’s name appears on one of the permit documents submitted to the city of Coronado for construction of the jet house. It is signed by “Don Albusseir.”
Albusseir is also listed in state records as manager of La Faten Foundation.
There are also federal court records that show that the man named Abdulelah Albusseir sued the Department of Homeland Security and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services in 2024 after the government failed to process his permanent residence application.
According to court documents, Albusseir is married to his coplaintiff, Sebrinna Gavzie, a United States citizen and Coronado resident.
They filed for him to be a permanent resident in 2021 and, three years later, sued seeking declaratory relief and legal fees.
In January 2025, Albusseir dropped the case. The outcome is unclear. His attorney, Richard Wilner, did not respond on deadline, and Gavzie declined to comment.
Bonasera and Albusseir
Meanwhile, the name Albusseir carries an online presence nearly identical to that of Donatello Bonasera – boastful yet mysterious, with almost no biographical information.
For example, an outlet known as the Wall Street Times published an article in 2024 about “One of the World’s Richest Arabs You’ve Never Heard of: Sheikh Abdulelah Al Busseir.”
“While many business magnates seek recognition, this Sheikh prefers to let his portfolio speak for itself – a global empire rooted in real estate and gold that has thrived through volatile markets,” the article says. “Within certain elite circles, he is known as ‘The Phantom Billionaire,’ a title befitting his low-key yet highly influential presence.”
The reporting was listed as “branded content from a third party” that “does not reflect the opinions and beliefs of The Wall Street Times.” The Coronado News could find no mainstream news articles about a sheikh named “Al Busseir.”
The internet describes Albusseir as a business genius with a fortune that is as untraceable as it is loudly proclaimed.
One account states that “his net worth, firmly in the billions of dollars, continues to grow, yet the full extent remains a mystery due to his masterful ability to maintain privacy.”
Another claims he is “noted for his belief that ‘what is hidden remains invincible; what is exposed becomes a target,’ a quote he is famously known to have said.”
By comparison, a post in Architectural Digest about Bonasera likens him to Leonardo da Vinci, adding, ”Donatello Bonasera’s reputation as ‘the golden artist’ wasn’t given. It was earned … Bonasera is a person of few words. The high-status artist maintains an intentionally low profile.”
The article includes a notation that “Architectural Digest editorial staff were not involved with the creation of this content.”
That post also explains why Bonasera wants a jet fuselage on his roof. It says he had a sort of epiphany while flying at 40,000 feet “in his own jet,” and decided to integrate aviation into his works. “The result is architecture with the presence of flight itself, balanced between earth and sky,” says the article. “…Bonasera’s vision extends beyond Earth. While some speak of colonizing Mars, Donatello plans to build on it.”
Even Albusseir’s website is set up to resemble several Bonasera websites, with gold lettering in all caps and the same font.
The Coronado News contacted Albusseir by email and received a response that said all inquiries should be directed to Bonasera. It was signed “Abdulelah.”
Yet, when Bonasera was asked directly about Albusseir, he said he didn’t know who that was.
