Bellissimo taps Tiger Woods, Justin Timberlake for massive proposed Wellington development

Developer Mark Bellissimo unveiled his latest version of a massive planned luxury community in Wellington — and he’s proposing to build it with golf greats Tiger Woods and Ernie Els, singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake, billionaire Joe Lewis’ Tavistock Group and founding eBay president Jeff Skol. 

Now called The Wellington, the more than 600-acre development would be completed via a partnership called Wellington Lifestyle Partners, according to a press release. The mixed-use project could include single-family homes and condos; a 17-acre commercial complex with stores, restaurants, office space and hotels; an expansion of the Wellington International equestrian facility and showgrounds; as well as a public horse riding facility with trails, and a 16-acre park. 

The developers would have to secure land use and zoning changes from the village of Wellington, according to the Palm Beach Post, which reported on Bellissimo’s plans on Friday. Wellington, considered the winter equestrian capital of the world, has been home to Bill Gates, Bruce Springsteen, billionaire Jim Clark, rapper and home renovator Vanilla Ice and others. 

The project also calls for a racquet center; a stadium tennis court with additional courts for tennis, padel and pickleball; four pools; a 120,000-square-foot, two story sports courts complex with a market and smoothie bar, 40,000-square-foot fitness center and full spa; and children’s sports and gaming facilities, according to the release. 

Bellissimo is teaming up with Nexus Luxury Collection, which was founded by Lewis and the other partners. Nexus runs The Albany Resort in the Bahamas, and a private club in Manhattan, according to its website. 

Together, Bellissimo and Nexus plan to renovate the 18-hole Cypress golf course at the Palm Beach Polo Golf & Country Club, which Bellissimo recently bought from Glenn Straub. Straub and Bellissimo are among the largest landowners in Wellington. The golf course would include a new clubhouse and facility. 

The homes could sit on lots ranging from a quarter of an acre to 5 acres, each. Buyers could also put their homes into Nexus’ rental program. The Palm Beach Post reported that the project could include more than 200 single-family homes and 270 condos. Most of the homes, labeled luxury villas, would be part of the one of three sections in the proposed development. 

Earlier this month, Bellissimo paid Straub $35 million for the 126-acre golf course at 11934 South Shore Boulevard and partially financed the purchase with seller financing from Straub. Straub, meanwhile, faces a $6.8 million foreclosure judgment tied to his long running battle with the village of Wellington over allegedly unauthorized construction in the environmentally protected Big Blue Preserve.