Lotis Group is searching for a new entertainment tenant for its Lotis Wellington 2 development after PopStroke, a mini-golf venture associated with Tiger Woods, withdrew from the project, according to a March 12 update. The developer recently received approval from the Wellington village council to modify plans for the commercial section of the 52-acre mixed-use site at 1105 South State Road 7.
The shift in plans includes adding an 8,500-square-foot Seasons 52 restaurant. However, it remains unclear how Lotis Group will use the three acres that were originally designated for PopStroke’s miniature golf facility. Council members expressed concern about removing entertainment options from the project, especially since previous changes had already eliminated an assisted living facility.
Lotis Group is expected to return to the council with updated proposals for the land previously set aside for PopStroke. The original plan called for an 8,000-square-foot building and two courses totaling 36 holes of indoor and outdoor mini golf. In place of this, Lotis has suggested constructing an additional restaurant and retail building along with a mini-park.
Nicole Fontaine, executive vice president at Colliers, said that efforts to attract tenants such as indoor pickleball courts, movie theaters, candlemaking classes, and children-focused businesses have so far been unsuccessful. She also noted that restrictions in a pending lease with Seasons 52 limit other food or beverage establishments larger than 3,000 square feet and prohibit gyms within Lotis Wellington 2. These measures are intended to avoid competition over parking spaces.
Further complicating tenant selection are restrictions imposed by Lennar, which purchased most of the residential portion of Lotis Wellington 2 for about $54 million. Lennar’s rules ban bars, nightclubs, discos, dancehalls, comedy clubs, skating rinks, pool halls, adult-oriented businesses or gun ranges on the property.
Despite these challenges, council members urged Lotis Group not to abandon plans for an entertainment venue. “If you drive around Wellington, we have a lot of strip malls that aren’t doing so well, so the last thing any of us want is to approve another failing strip mall type-area,” council member Amanda Silvestri said.
Adjacent development Lotis Wellington 1 will feature residential rentals as well as space for restaurants and offices when completed. Tenants already signed include Cooper’s Hawk, Lazy Dog, Cluck Face and Garden Butcher; Fore Elite Golf has also secured space.
