Historic Poinsett Hotel in Downtown Greenville Sold to National Hospitality Firm

Highline Hospitality Partners plans renovations to enhance the hotel's position in the local market.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:35pm

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The century-old Poinsett Hotel in downtown Greenville, South Carolina, which played a key role in the city's revitalization nearly three decades ago, has been sold to national hospitality investment firm Highline Hospitality Partners. The 12-story, 200-room hotel was previously owned by Charleston-based hoteliers for almost 30 years. Highline plans to pursue 'targeted renovations' to improve the hotel's competitiveness in the Greenville market.

Why it matters

The Poinsett Hotel has been a landmark in downtown Greenville since its opening in 1925, serving as a catalyst for the area's revitalization in the late 1990s. Its sale to a national firm signals a new chapter for the historic property and raises questions about how the hotel's future renovations and management will impact the local community.

The details

Highline Hospitality Partners, which has a $1.6 billion portfolio across nearly two dozen hospitality properties, announced the acquisition of the Poinsett Hotel in an April 1 press release. The hotel was previously owned by Charleston-based hoteliers Steve Dopp and Greg Lenox, who had operated the property for nearly 30 years after rescuing it from disrepair in the 1990s. Financial terms of the sale were not disclosed.

  • The Poinsett Hotel was built in 1925 for $1.5 million.
  • The hotel was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
  • Dopp and Lenox acquired and renovated the hotel, reopening it in 2000 under the Westin brand.
  • The hotel was put on the market in October 2025 after nearly 30 years under Dopp and Lenox's ownership.
  • Highline Hospitality Partners announced the acquisition in an April 1, 2026 press release.

The players

Highline Hospitality Partners

A national hospitality investment firm with a $1.6 billion portfolio across nearly two dozen properties. Highline has acquired the Poinsett Hotel and plans to pursue renovations to enhance its competitiveness in the Greenville market.

Steve Dopp and Greg Lenox

Charleston-based hoteliers who acquired and renovated the Poinsett Hotel in the late 1990s, reopening it in 2000 under the Westin brand. They owned the property for nearly 30 years before deciding to sell.

William Lee Stoddard

The renowned New York architect who designed the Poinsett Hotel in the Beaux-Arts architectural style in 1925.

Joel Poinsett

The South Carolina lawmaker, ambassador and U.S. Secretary of War after whom the Poinsett Hotel was named.

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What they’re saying

“As one of Greenville's most iconic properties, the hotel has played a meaningful role in the city's history for many decades, and we look forward to assuming the stewardship of its legacy to ensure it remains a vital part of the community for years to come.”

— Chuck Pomerantz, Managing Partner, Highline Hospitality Partners

“We've owned it for almost 30 years. That, in our industry, is a very long time. Some of our partners are no longer with us, and at some point, it's just time to simplify things and rebalance your work-life schedule.”

— Steve Dopp, Previous Owner, Poinsett Hotel

What’s next

Highline Hospitality Partners plans to pursue 'targeted renovations to all aspects of the hotel to enhance its competitive positioning within the Greenville hospitality market' in the coming months.

The takeaway

The sale of the historic Poinsett Hotel marks a new chapter for the landmark property that played a pivotal role in downtown Greenville's revitalization. While the new owners have pledged to preserve the hotel's legacy, the planned renovations will be closely watched by the local community to ensure the Poinsett remains a vital part of Greenville's identity.