Gainswave Therapy in Wellington, FL

WELLINGTON, Fla., February 29, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Miami-based Platinum Luxury Auctions has announced its tenth luxury auction^® offering in the village of Wellington, Florida. On March 9, the veteran luxury real estate auction house will offer a pair of 5-acre parcels in a live auction wherein the highest bidder shall prevail regardless of price. The parcels were previously listed for $4.5 million collectively, before the seller retained Platinum to exclusively manage the no-reserve auction sale.

"Since our first Wellington sale in 2013, we’ve consistently delivered a global audience of buyers to the marketplace who are in search of special or unique equestrian properties and horse farms," said Trayor Lesnock, Platinum’s founder and president. "Our March 9 offering is a working horse farm with tremendous upside potential, and it’s located within hacking distance to WEF grounds."

A property’s proximity to the grounds of Wellington’s Winter Equestrian Festival (or "WEF") is a critical component of its value, Lesnock added. The two parcels are within a 15-20-min "hack" – a term used to describe the non-competitive riding of a horse, usually at a gentle pace – of the WEF complex.

The two-parcel assemblage is within the Rustic Ranches subdivision, a small development of 5-to-10-acre ranches and horse farms, along with a handful of residential estates. The community enjoys city water service while being free of the excess restrictions of a homeowners’ association.

The parcels sit side-by-side, east-to-west. The eastern parcel measures approx. 5 acres, and hosts a range of equestrian amenities, including a 150-ft by 250-ft riding arena, 8 paddocks, 2 barns offering 18 total stalls, a round pen, storage sheds, and grooming/wash stalls. There is also a charming cottage with 2 beds and 2 baths.

The western parcel is slightly larger, at 5.26 acres, and it includes a recently renovated residence. The single-story home has 3 beds, 2 baths and a 2-vehicle garage. The roof is new as of 2022, and interiors are spacious and filled with light. Each parcel also has a small pond.

While Lesnock speculated that it’s likely buyers will want to buy both parcels together in order to have a +10-acre assemblage with additional room for development, the parcels could also be sold individually. "It’s common in these types of offerings that we have the bidders specify their purchase preference in advance, so that we may then tailor the auction offering to their given preference." For example, if 10 bidders register for the auction, and 8 of those bidders specify they would only like to buy the eastern parcel - instead of both parcels - the eastern parcel would be offered and sold individually.

A group of Wellington residents are aiming to recall the village’s mayor and a majority of the council members.

The push comes after the mayor and three colleagues backed a 600-acre development proposal to build a mixed-use, luxury residential neighborhood and expand equestrian showgrounds on preserved land in Wellington — an equestrian hub in western Palm Beach County.

Wellington Lifestyle Partners, a partnership between entrepreneur Mark Bellissimo and developer NEXUS Luxury Collection, are seeking density and land use changes that would remove nearly 100 acres out of the Equestrian Preserve to build the high-end developments "in the heart of Wellington that celebrates the best of South Florida and equestrian sport."

To expand horse sport, about 14 acres will need to be rezoned from residential to equestrian commercial recreation. It would double the size of the Wellington International equestrian showgrounds and expand equestrian facilities.

Developers would have to remove 96 acres from the 9,000-acre equestrian preserve, established in 2002, for the very first time.

Maureen Brennan, chairwoman for the Coalition to Protect Wellington, the group leading the recall effort, told WLRN that residents are outraged by the contentious project because it goes against the village’s comprehensive plan and sets a bad precedent for future development.

"We are asking four of the five council members to be removed from their office because we don't believe that they represent Wellington at large," Brennan told WLRN. "And they're not protecting the identity and the character of this village."

Wellington residents experience low density and less congestion than areas in the eastern part of the county. The area also includes farmettes, larger farms, equestrian venues, show jumping facilities and polo fields.

"I've been an equestrian my entire life, and it doesn't matter if it's 96 or 1 acre, once you take any of it, it all goes," Brennan said. "So it's a domino effect waiting to happen."

Residents are intensifying their efforts as the second and final reading for the projects take place today in Wellington, scheduled for 6 p.m.

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The Wellington village council approved the proposals on first reading in November. Supporting it were Mayor Anne Gerwig, Councilman Michael Drahos, Councilwoman Tanya Siskind and Councilman John McGovern.

Vice Mayor Michael Napoleone dissented. Two council members, however — Drahol and Gerwig — are term-limited, expected to leave their seats in March. Siskind and McGovern terms expire in 2026.

Council members and the developer did not return requests for comment from WLRN.

In a video statement, WLP said it's developing the project in the Wellington area to "maintain its stature as the horse sport capital" and compete with "new competitive locations."

Equestrians for Wellington, an advocacy group, are in favor of the land use change, saying, according to the website, "Equestrian venues are the economic engine of Wellington and the Equestrian Preserve."

The development

The project is divided into The Wellington North, on the northeast corner of South Shore Boulevard and Pierson Road, and The Wellington South, located at the northwest corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road.

The Wellington North in the Equestrian Preserve Area: developers want to build a 96-unit residential project by removing 96 acres and replacing the Equestrian Village, a dressage facility owned by Mark Bellissimo, to develop singe-family homes, townhomes, and residential club community. It would eventually include commercial center shops and restaurants. The Equestrian Village will be relocated to a another site.

The Wellington South is approximately 290 acres. Developers want to build around 107 single-family residential units on the eastern 173 acres and a new showground site in an "area south of the Wellington International showgrounds (114.64 acres)," according to plans submitted to the Village.

The recall effort could take weeks.

Brennan adds that around 30 people from their coalition are working to collect the 2,300 signatures for the first stage of recall efforts, which would be equal to 5% of the village's voting population. And later, they'll need nearly 7,000 signatures from voters, or around 15%, for the recall to get on the ballot.

WELLINGTON, Fla. — New houses and showgrounds will be built in Wellington after two linked proposals received approval from the village council.

The proposal removes about 90 acres of land from a 9,000-acre area called the Equestrian Preserve, which is land reserved for people to perform equestrian activities. People, mostly against the proposal, filled countless village meetings against the proposal after it was revealed about 18 months ago.

Jill Townsend, who was protesting against the project before the council meeting on Wednesday night, said she's concerned the proposal will allow other developers to take more land away from the preserve.

"When they take this first piece of land out of the preserve, other pieces are going to come out either way," she said. "A precedent is set anyway."

Village staff said it doesn't believe this approval will lead to more developers trying to grab land from the preserve. However, a former mayor of Wellington has expressed a similar concern to WPTV in the past.

Property records show Townsend has owned her home in Wellington since 1984. She said she built a barn on the property, which she uses as a business to rent out stalls for horses since she lives near the showground area in town.

"The horse show is the heart and soul of Wellington," Townsend said. "If you didn't have this horse show and protect the lands around it. Wellington would be no different than Boynton [Beach], Royal Palm [Beach] and Palm Beach Gardens."

She said restaurants and other businesses face a similar problem.

The applicant is Wellington Lifestyle Partners, which owns 15 different companies. It is proposing to close the Equestrian Village and build houses with a private golf club, then build a new larger facility along with additional houses.

Douglas McMahon, who is the managing partner and CEO, has consistently argued the change is necessary to keep Wellington competitive with other places also catering to equestrian activities.

"The group that controls Wellington International is actually up for sale, so throughout this process, we've provided a lot of stability to ensure the showgrounds can expand," McMahon said. "Literally double in size acreage and have the ability for Wellington to continue to garner new investment in the showgrounds. So, again all domains can thrive there and it can really be the horse sports capital. That's really critical to everybody."

Eight different companies directly or indirectly have an interest that exceeds 5% in Wellington Lifestyle Partners, according to county records.

According to state documents, Mark Bellissimo was the manager of Wellington Lifestyle Partners until he was removed as a manager in September 2023. Paige Bellissimo-Nunez is listed as an executive vice president for Wellington Lifestyle Partners, according to her LinkedIn.

Lauren Brody, who testified against the project over the months of meetings, has expressed concerns about trusting Bellissimo's ability to deliver a new horse show due to the condition of the current showgrounds. Multiple people expressed similar concerns over the multiple meetings about the topic before and during the latest meeting on Friday night.

Tuny Page, who was part of a group offering $25 million to buy the Equestrian Village, said she was disappointed with the council's decision. She also said she's more passionate about the issue because the supporters of the developer laughed at their offer made on Thursday night.

"I think that the incredibly obvious lack of respect for the work that people on the other side put in and the effort put in," Page said. "I thought was absolutely obnoxious."

Developers said Equestrian Village wasn't up for sale.

The applicant has made various changes to their application to get the project approved. For example, the original proposal contained condominium buildings rather than the single homes approved.

Wellington Lifestyle Partners also promised to donate about 50 acres of land, pay $2 million to build a park, spend $6 million toward traffic improvements, a promise to finish building the new showgrounds before any homes are built among other requirements.

"They gave a lot of accountability to a developer like ourselves," McMahon said. "So, we have to do what we say we do or else we don't get to the opportunity to realize the financial end game that is important to us, which is the residential community."

Maureen Brennan, who organized a failed recall effort against council members voting for the proposal, said she was beyond disappointed with the decision from the Wellington Village Council in a text message.

"Disappointing does not sum up the disservice done to our town last evening when the Village of Wellington Council capitulated to a single person for nothing short of profiteering at the expense of the residents and equestrian community," Brennan said. "The equestrian community is the brand and identity of Wellington and that is now at high risk to continue being the Equestrian Capital of the World."

McMahon said the amount of animosity to get this project approved was more intense than normal projects. He said it was difficult to discuss information because opponents spread incorrect information and made personal attacks.

"They probably start when they can argue the law," McMahon said. "If they can't argue the law, they try to argue facts. If they can't argue the facts, they try to argue opinions and the opinions can be sensational whatever it is to make a case."

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Ten nations brought forth teams to compete in the $150,000 CSIO4* Nations Cup, presented by Florida Coast Equipment, the highlight event of Week 8 at Wellington International’s Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), which runs through March 31 in Wellington, FL. With no shortage of team spirit, the four-rider squad from Ireland—Darragh Kenny, David O’Brien, Cian O’Connor and Shane Sweetnam led by chef d’équipe Michael Blake—stole the victory for the fifth time in the 23-year history of the event at WEF.

Teams from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Great Britain, Ireland, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand and the United States competed in the opening round of the Nations Cup with the top eight teams returning under the spotlight of ‘Saturday Night Lights’. After disappointing first rounds, New Zealand and Mexico did not advance.

Heading into the second round, the Irish lads were the only ones sitting on a score of zero after three clear rounds were produced by pathfinder Kenny riding Eddy Blue, owned by Kerry Anne, LLC, O’Brien aboard El Balou OLD for owners Chansonette and Leap Year Farms, and O’Connor in the irons of Coolmore Showjumping’s Fancy de Kergane. Sweetnam pulled one rail in the opening round to post the drop score on RR Combella for owners Sweet Oak Farm and Voquest, LLC. All four riders were sat atop horses making their nations cup debuts.

Israel on four, Canada with eight and the U.S. tied with Colombia on 12 remained in the hunt between rounds. Ultimately, Israel and Colombia fell victim to the track built by USA’s Steve Stephens and Nick Granat. In the end, Canada finished second on 12 faults after winning the 2023 edition of the WEF Nations Cup, and USA settled for third with a solid effort to defend their 2021 victory.

O’Connor jumped as the anchor for his team and after their consistent performances across two rounds, was able to sit out the second round as the win was already clinched.

“We saw a bit of everything in the course tonight,” said O’Connor. “Obviously, it plays a part with one round in the daytime then one at night. Both rounds were light, delicate and the plank was difficult to judge.

“This horse is only nine, so he's just stepping up to this level. There aren’t many nine-year-olds able to do this, so I'm very happy with him. There's something very special about the night classes here. So many people were [in the stands] tonight and it’s one that everyone wants to win.”

Nico Cubillos, Director of Marketing for Florida Coast Equipment, commented on the newly minted partnership with Wellington International on Nations Cup night, noting, “We really wanted to be part of the Nations Cup, not only because it's popular, but we believe it is powerful how a team comes together, and that quality can be sustained over two rounds.”

“Just like expectations are high for these athletes, so are they for our Kubota tractors; it means proving ourselves to the community that every night, this ring is ready to go. And for me, I'm an amateur rider, so this is a dream to be up here with these riders.”

As the night came to a close, Blake summed up the win by saying, “This team is a little unusual. In a hundred something [Nations] Cups that I've been involved in, I've never had a full team where none of the horses ever jumped a Nations Cup before. That shows true depth in that we could put out a team of new horses, very good horses, but still new horses.

“On paper we didn't look like the favorites, but I knew we'd be hard to beat,” he continued. “Canada looked strong, the U.S. looked very strong, but we had a lot of experience, and we know how to dig deep. We love to come here because the atmosphere is amazing. To see a full house, that's what lifts you—it’s very special.”

For the win, Blake accepted the Denis Quinlan Perpetual Trophy from Jenny Quinlan.

Earlier in the day, 19-year-old Ansgar Holtgers, Jr. (USA) returned to his winning ways in the $50,000 Hermès 1.50m National Grand Prix with Tulum, owned by Gut Einhaus, LLC. Fellow U.S. rider Jimmy Torano took second riding Kochio Z for owners Isalou, Inc. & JET Show Stables. British Olympic Champion Ben Maher rounded out the podium in third riding Exit Remo for owners Pamela Wright and Charlotte Rossetter.

Competition during WEF 8 at Wellington International concludes on Sunday with the $200,000 JTWG Inc. CSIO4* Grand Prix.

The council for the village of Wellington approve a rezoning change, which would allow developers to build homes on the current equestrian showgrounds and build a new show ground facility in the south of the village.

WELLINGTON, Fla. — The Wellington council approved a rezoning change Thursday night that would allow developers to build homes on the current equestrian showgrounds and build a new showground facility in the south of the village.

The meeting concluded just before 11:30 p.m.

The village council made the decision after a group of developers, led by Wellington Lifestyle Partners, offered the village 59 acres of green space land at Thursday night's meeting. The new offer was an increase from the 50 acres originally offered.

However, three council members approving the project indicated they needed more information to give the final approval during a different meeting.

Councilman Michael Drahos said he believed the exchange was a good deal because it would guarantee the sport's future in Wellington while gaining land.

"We don't own the land that we’re all here talking about," Drahos said. "It's owned by a private entity."

Wellington Lifestyle Partners, who is the applicant, argued a new facility, a stadium and additional showgrounds are needed to compete with other areas like Ocala. The change would take 96 acres out of the Equestrian Preserve Area, which reserves land for equestrian-related activities.

"The status quo isn't an option," Douglas McMahon, the manager of Wellington Lifestyle Partners, said.

According to state documents, Mark Bellissimo was the manager of Wellington Lifestyle Partners until he was removed as a manager in September 2023.

Paige Bellissimo-Nunez is listed as an executive vice president for Wellington Lifestyle Partners, according to her LinkedIn.

State documents also show Mark Bellissimo owns different companies that are part of the project.

Multiple people against the project criticized both Bellissimo and the complex ownership structure throughout the three days of comments.

Michael J. Napoleone, who is also a council member, said he wasn't comfortable giving the applicant full approval because he didn't understand the ownership structure of the applicant. He also said he had questions about the type of horse show the community would receive if it received approval.

Village staff said the next step is council and the applicant setting up an additional date for a second reading.

Councilwoman Tanya Siskind said she was giving approval on Thursday night because there was no consequence at this time. However, she indicated she wanted to see additional conversation and possible changes.

Those council members asked direct and pointed questions of the applicant for almost three hours on Thursday night.

Councilman John T. McGovern, who asked the most questions, was visibly frustrated with the applicant not giving direct answers various times throughout the night. He also voted to approve the first reading, but said he needed more details to approve the project at the second reading.

"We've gone a long way," McGovern said. "But I believe there's more way to go."

McGovern said he doesn't believe traffic concerns have been addressed by the applicant. He also said he had concerns about the zoning, density and conditions the village put on the applicant to not build homes before certain construction is complete.

"If they're not bulletproof," McGovern said, "I'm a no at second reading."

He also said he believes additional conditions need to be added to the land swap offered by the applicant.

"I don't want land and a tax bill on the residents to build it," McGovern said, 'so, that's gotta get worked out."

Wellington Mayor Anna Gerwig, who publicly expressed her vote after three council members moved the project forward, said the equestrian element makes Wellington unique from other cities.

She is concerned conditions aren't enforceable on the development as they are currently written, but she thinks they could change in future conversations.

No date has been set for a second reading on the project.

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