A developer has proposed what might be the first step toward the long-discussed makeover of the Mall at Wellington Green.
Bainbridge Wellington wants to tear down the long-shuttered Nordstrom store and replace it with 620 apartments, according to plan submitted to the village of Wellington.
The company, which oversees the Axis Wellington Green apartments on the mall’s west side, would construct three seven-story buildings on the site of the luxury department store, which closed in 2019.
The village has not yet scheduled public hearings on the plan, which follows years of speculation about the mall’s future. It opened with great expectations in October 2001 but has struggled for more than a decade as people’s shopping habits changed both before and after the COVID pandemic.
Three buildings to replace Nordstrom at Mall at Wellington Green
According to the plans submitted to the village, the three buildings would sit in a triangle in the parking lot along the southwest side of the property, near the Axis apartments.
Two would face the parking lot with a community clubhouse between them. The third would sit behind them, with a parking garage between its back side and the remainder of the existing mall.
Green spaces and walkways would separate them, and parking spaces would surround the buildings.
No details were immediately available on the number of bedrooms the apartments would have and whether any would be set side as workforce housing.
Traffic to and from the area is projected to be significantly less with the new apartments than with heavy mall shopping, according to the proposal. It estimated the volume of vehicles would be heavy in the morning but lighter late in the day.
Mall at Wellington Green takes steps toward lifestyle focus
Planners have talked about transforming the 91-acre property at Forest Hill Boulevard and State Road 7 into the downtown that Wellington never has had, complete with residences, retail and restaurant spaces, walkable streets and parks in which residents can gather.
Recently, the mall has launched some changes to become more of a lifestyle destination. The Palm Beach Improv comedy club announced in 2025 that it would move to Wellington from CityPlace in West Palm Beach and share a space with the Copper Blues Rock Pub & Kitchen, which would feature live music.
The area near the mall also may soon see significant change. Stephen Ross, whose Related Ross is the leading developer in West Palm Beach and who owns the NFL’s Miami Dolphins football team, is developing a mixed-use community at K-Park, the largest open site along State Road 7.
The Ross development is expected to include residences, retail shops, restaurants and a private school.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Empty Nordstrom store at Wellington mall could become 620 apartments
Reporting by Brian Olmo, Special to The Post / Palm Beach Post
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