Background: What Happened to the Nordstrom

The Mall at Wellington Green opened in 2001 with Nordstrom as one of five original anchor stores. Nordstrom closed its Wellington location in 2019 — part of the broader national retail contraction that hit enclosed malls particularly hard. The space has been used primarily for storage and seasonal pop-up retail since.

The mall itself has seen two of its five original anchors close. Lord & Taylor closed in 2004 and was replaced by City Furniture, with parts later converted to a movie theater complex. The Mall at Wellington Green was one of the final large enclosed malls built in South Florida.

The Bainbridge Proposal

Bainbridge Companies, described as a Wellington-based real estate and apartment management firm, submitted the application to Wellington on March 31, 2026. The proposal: demolish the Nordstrom building and construct a 620-unit multifamily residential apartment complex.

Specifics: just over 18.4 acres; three seven-story apartment buildings; a new parking garage; 1.5 acres of private recreation space including a clubhouse with pool, fitness amenities, and open space.

The project requires a master plan amendment to allow multifamily residential use on the site. As of April 2026, it was making its way through Wellington village staff review.

What This Means for Wellington Buyers and Sellers

A 620-unit apartment complex at the mall site has mixed implications. On the positive side, 620 new households within walking distance of the mall increases foot traffic and supports the commercial tenants that remain. It adds housing supply to a market where inventory is chronically tight. On the concern side, three seven-story buildings represent a significant scale departure from Wellington’s traditional development character — and density concerns are real for a community that has historically prioritized low-density residential planning.

This is a proposal in early review, not an approved project. Wellington village council has been deliberate about what it allows at the mall corridor.

Status and Timeline

As of the April 2026 reporting, the Bainbridge proposal was in village staff review following submission on March 31. It requires a master plan amendment, which is a formal process that includes public input and council approval. Timing from staff review to council vote varies — major amendments typically take several months to a year.

Buyers evaluating the mall corridor should know this is an active proposal that will get significant public attention. Wellington residents have historically been engaged participants in major development decisions.