Seven months after presenting his masterplan called "Wellington 3.0" American real estate mogul and entrepreneur Mark Bellissimo has changed his plans and jumped straight to a new version - a Wellington 4.0 which he now calls "The Wellington".
With a fancy press release that got picked up by American press because of referencing to silent investors Justin Timberlake, Tiger Woods and Ernie Els, Bellissimo presented his plans to expand the Wellington community with a big residential area, hotel, and golf course. This area will be where the Global Dressage Festival is now being hosted, as much more land besides and behind it as well as close to the show jumping grounds.
Wellington Equestrian Preserve
Wellington is a magnet for some of the world's most affluent horse riders, owners, and lovers who annually gather in the Floridian town for a winter of horses and luxury lifestyle. The city is considered a horse town but residents have been complaining for years about congested traffic due to horse tourism in winter.
In 2000 the "Equestrian Preserve" was created: 9000 acres of land (show grounds, polo fields and bridle trails, nearby parks, ranches, stables and low-density residences) with its own zoning district with its own rules and regulations to protects the character of the equestrian community . It aims to maximize green space, control density, and maintain rich equestrian character.
For Bellissimo to go through with his building plans he needs to get planning permission and conversions of zoning areas first from the Equestrian Preserve Committee (EPC), who advises the Wellington Planning Zoning and Adjustment Board, who then sends their recommendations to the Village Council. To remove land from the Preserve requires 4 of 5 votes on the Council.
"The Wellington"
Bellissimo's September 2022 plans for "Wellington 3.0" are described in this article. He aims to realise his plans for "The Wellington" through a partnership with Wellington Lifestyle Partners (WLP) and NEXUS Luxury Collection, founded by Joe Lewis and his Tavistock Group, Tiger Woods, Justin Timberlake, and Ernie Els.
"The proposed development includes doubling the size of the Wellington International equestrian show grounds, which is currently at capacity. The expansion will facilitate a nine-figure investment to expand and enhance the significant equestrian facilities," the press release stated.
It will include a walkable commercial center featuring shops, hotels, offices, a park, and restaurants featuring some of the world’s top luxury retail brands conveniently abutting the residential club community. The development plan will also include a public riding facility and incorporate the newly acquired Cypress Golf Course, a Pete Dye-designed, 18-hole championship course that will go through an extensive renovation. It will be supported by a new clubhouse, short game facility, and performance center with training and analytics demanded by the best golfers.
The press release does not mention where dressage competition will relocate to. The show jumping grounds are at full capacity and Global Equestrian Group has allegedly not yet purchased the additional 100 acres which Mark has proposed as expansion for the horse show grounds.
Media Blitz
The launch of the press release created the impression in U.S. media that Bellissimo's plans are a done deal. However, Wellington councilman Michael Napoleone denied this on Facebook.
"Despite the recent media blitz and what you have read on social media, Mark Bellissimo’s “Wellington 3.0” proposals have NOT been approved," Napoleone wrote. "In fact, they are not even in “Beta testing” as they have not yet had their first public hearing. The first opportunity for public hearing will not come until the June meeting of the Equestrian Preserve Committee - at the earliest."
He continued, "Public comment is welcome and encouraged on this and any other issues concerning the Village. Comments can be made in person at scheduled hearings, or, in lieu of attending, you can submit comments via the below link."
The application that currently lies in front of Equestrian Preserve Committee (EPC) does not include any requests to "doubl(e) the size of the Wellington International equestrian show grounds" but only deals with the two residential parcels.
Related Links
Bellissimo Presents "Wellington 3.0", Plans to Move Dressage, Aims to Rezone GDF Show Ground
United States Polo Association Buys Polo Grounds in Wellington, Future of Global Dressage Festival?
Helgstrand's Global Equestrian Group, Waterland Private Equity, and Wellington Equestrian Partners Join forces