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Mark Bellissimo buys land near International Equestrian Center
Tennessee businessman John Ingram and investor George Strawbridge Jr. sold the properties
UPDATED, Nov. 20, 4:23 p.m.: Wellington developer Mark Bellissimo paid over $29 million for land near his Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.
Property records show Pierwell Properties LLC sold the lots at 3440, 3462 and 3510 Gene Mische Way to Far Niente Stables XXV and Far Niente Stables XXVI, both controlled by Bellissimo, for a combined $17.18 million. The Wellington assemblage last sold for $13.1 million in March 2006.
In addition, Chickering South sold the 5.9-acre property at 3418 Gene Mische Way to Bellissimo for $6.8 million.
John Ingram of Nashville, Tennessee is tied to the selling entities. Ingram is the chairman of Ingram Content Group, Lightning Source and Digital Ingram and Ingram Industries, and the owner of the planned Major League Soccer team Nashville SC.
In another deal, investor George W. Strawbridge Jr. sold the 5-acre property at 3580 Gene Mische Way to TLJ Polo LLC for $5.38 million. While Bellissimo is not tied to the buying entity, the property is included in a $77.7 million mortgage his companies just closed on from Motcomb Estates Limited.
Together, the lots total about 26 acres on the west side of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Bellissimo told the South Florida Business Journal he’s under contract to purchase more land to expand the property. With the deals that just closed and more under contract, the additional land comes out to 40 acres.
Bellissimo made headlines in recent months when he filed for divorce from his wife of roughly 30 years, Katherine, in December. Records show the divorce was finalized in August.
In 2016, Bellissimo and his partners paid $72 million for the 248-acre International Polo Club, which is east of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. They bought the latter for a reported $135 million in 2006. It’s where the Winter Equestrian Festival takes place.
Wellington is considered the winter equestrian capital of the world and is home to the who’s who of power players who have equestrians in the family. The families of billionaires such as Bill Gates, Michael Bloomberg and the late Steve Jobs, as well as celebrities Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen, all have homes in the village.