In high style

Within its borders is a world-renowned equestrian
community. Yet, the Wellington Aero Club boasts wide residential streets and a gracious atmosphere that is quiet and reserved—except when one of its residents’ jets takes off on the 4,000-foot-long runway.

 

“If you’re into airplanes, living here is a dream,” says Doug Matthews, treasurer of the community’s homeowner’s association and a resident for the past 10 years. “You’ve got your garage attached to your house on one side with your automobiles and your hangar on the other side with your airplanes. Gosh, it’s just great.”

Note Matthews’ use of the plural; most owners here have several aircraft in their hangars as well as automobiles and other “toy” collections at this luxurious hangar home community in South Florida. The Mediterranean and Key West-style estate homes are situated on one-acre lots that border the paved runway or are along grass taxiways. There are 255 home sites, most of which are already developed. The residential streets are named for aviation—there’s a Barnstormer Court, a Lindbergh Lane, and Hawker, Enstrom, and Chandelle streets. Flying Cow Road, one of the main arteries, is named for the initials of one of the community founders, C. Olive Wellington. He, Guerry Stribling, and Arthur “Bink” Glisson are considered visionaries for planning this aviation community in the 1970s and ’80s. Glisson has a local
elementary school named after him.

In the center of the community is the private runway that is lighted for night landings or departures. The Aero Club homes are built and designed by custom builders, so the homes are unique and have a luxury feel. Houses range in size from 2,500 square feet to more than 10,000 square feet. Many of the homes feature guest houses, pools, and hangars. The clubhouse features a game room, along with various other amenities. Events held include social gatherings, holiday parties, yoga classes, and many other ways to enjoy the community. “Sunday Sundown” each week sees a fleet of golf carts arriving at the clubhouse for drinks and a salute to the end of the day; the clubhouse faces the west for a dramatic sunset most days.

“It’s an energetic community,” says Matthews. “There’s a lot going on. There are probably six houses under construction, we are renovating our taxiways, we are going to redo our entrances, update the landscape, and renovate the fuel facility. It’s about a $1 billion community with common areas and residents; our budget is just under $1 million a year.”