Wellington Lifestyle Partners (WLP), the Wellington-based real estate development and hospitality company, has expanded its partnership as its portfolio grows to include the Wellington International equestrian showgrounds and operations, and The Wellington, its new private residential club community developed by Nexus Luxury Collection.
Entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist Jeff Skoll, a current WLP shareholder along with Mark Bellissimo, Marsha Dammerman, Lisa Lourie, Roger Smith and Nexus, has made another significant investment in the company. Skoll was the first president of eBay and now has a portfolio of philanthropic and commercial enterprises. While he is a new resident of Palm Beach, Skoll has become an active horse owner in support of Olympic-caliber riders in Wellington.
WLP also welcomes longtime Wellington resident and equestrian Michael Smith as a new shareholder. Smith is a retired businessman, amateur rider and a prominent owner of several horses competing with McLain Ward at the highest levels of the sport. Previously, he ran Valley Proteins Inc., then the second largest independent rendering operation in the U.S., and was the president of the Upperville Colt & Horse Show. He also serves as a trustee for the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation.
“We are thrilled to have the support of our existing and new shareholders as we invest broadly in the village, creating The Wellington club community with Nexus and expanding the showgrounds,” Bellissimo said. “Ensuring Wellington is the quality standard for equestrian living is our goal.”
The additional capital comes as the company launches its new 400-acre luxury residential club community featuring 253 residences along with championship golf and an array of sporting and wellness amenities. The Wellington’s real estate offerings include five distinct types of residences: custom estate homes, equestrian villas, townhomes, luxury condominiums and four-acre equestrian farm estates.
The community’s golf course and golf amenities are being designed by renowned golf architect David McLay Kidd of DMK Golf Design, known for his work at Bandon Dunes, Mammoth Dunes and Fancourt, and the community’s master plan and core amenities are being designed by noted architecture and design firm Workshop/APD. The New York-based firm’s award-winning portfolio includes amenity-rich developments, hotels and restaurants, and luxury residences in destinations around the world.
WLP will be launching a founder’s program this month, inviting the first families interested in joining the club community and establishing a home in The Wellington, and will be staggering the release of its real estate offerings.
In addition to the new project, the company’s Wellington portfolio includes the Wanderers Club, other land holdings, and now Wellington International, the showgrounds venue home to the Winter Equestrian Festival.
“Speaking for all the shareholders, we are committed to Wellington long-term and creating assets here of the highest quality,” Skoll said. “The Wellington will be a world-class lifestyle community within Palm Beach County and will enhance Wellington’s position as the premier horse sport community in the world.”
For more information about Wellington Lifestyle Partners, visit www.wlpfl.com.
