Bellissimo to redevelop Wellington polo club with new stadium

Amid a wave of big equestrian land purchases in Wellington for redevelopment, at least one project is sticking to the village’s polo roots.

Mark Bellissimo’s Wellington Equestrian Partners reportedly plans to redevelop the International Polo Club into the country’s largest polo venue.

The existing venue has seating for about 2,100 spectators and 248 acres of grounds for events and competitions. The Belissimo-led partnership paid $72 million for the club in May from the family of imprisoned polo mogul John Goodman, who was convicted of manslaughter in 2012 for killing 23-year-old Scott Patrick Wilson while driving under the influence.

Now, Bellissimo’s team has submitted an application to build a new stadium on the property with 3,000 seats, plus four other show rings with a combined 3,350 seats, according to the South Florida Business Journal. The plans also call for a new restaurant, spa, banquet area, clubhouse and parking for 2,557 cars.

As The Real Deal reported in May, Bellissimo’s team has already secured an agreement with the U.S. Polo Association to hold tournaments at the venue until at least 2018. He also owns the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. [South Florida Business Journal] — Sean Stewart-Muniz