This is what started it all!

[gs3]

By all accounts from locals I talk with, the Hyatt Hotel and Greenville Commons complex is what started to turn a dead downtown into the showcase we know today. As South Carolina's only Hyatt Regency, the premium hotel and complex continues to be a magnet for downtown (meetings, conventions and business). 25 years. The Hyatt has the 25th logo cast with light on the interior of the lobby.

Which mayor started this private/public project?

Congrats to the Hyatt and to the city.

[krazeeboi]

The Hyatt is definitely one of the most impressive hotels in SC that I've had the pleasure of visiting. It gives Greenville a "big city" vibe.

[distortedlogic]

The Hyatt is indeed fun to walk through, especially this time of year with the trees. I believe Max Heller was the Mayor, though I am really not old enough to remember. Does anyone have any pics of DT and main st pre-Hyatt they can post? That would make for some intresting comparisons. I think it must have been a heck of a sales job to get Hyatt to locate DT at that time.

[vicupstate]

The Hyatt is indeed fun to walk through, especially this time of year with the trees. I believe Max Heller was the Mayor, though I am really not old enough to remember. Does anyone have any pics of DT and main st pre-Hyatt they can post? That would make for some intresting comparisons. I think it must have been a heck of a sales job to get Hyatt to locate DT at that time.

[Spartan]

Wow I didn't realize it was 25 years old!

[hub-city]

I was actually involved in the grand opening. It was a bright spot in a dead downtown, and really is one of the main catalyst for the rebirth of Greenville. And yes, it didn't make much money at first and had a nice restaurant inside that had to close.

The Marriott at Renaissance Park is kind of Spartanburg's "Hyatt". Hopefully it will continue to spur and encourage more growth in that city just like the Hyatt did in Greenville. Happy Anniversary Hyatt!!!!!

[GvilleSC]

Great thread! I'd too like to have some 'pre-Hyatt' photos and some current photos to document the improvement.

Great job Hyatt and the City of Greenville!

[adrockc2]

Earlier this week all the hanging vines were removed with no plans to plant more.

[GvilleSC]

Earlier this week all the hanging vines were removed with no plans to plant more.

[whitehourseview]

Great thread! I'd too like to have some 'pre-Hyatt' photos and some current photos to document the improvement.

Great job Hyatt and the City of Greenville!

[GVLbikeNboard]

Earlier this week all the hanging vines were removed with no plans to plant more.

[greenvillehistorytours]

This was a generation before the Hyatt, but this was on its site. It was the Ottaray Hotel. The Confederate Monument was in front of it.

Later, it was torn down, main street widened to four lanes, the Confederate Monument moved to the front of the cemetary. In the Ottaray's place was the Downtowner Motel. A horrid, multi colored building. Looked like the old Houston Astros uniforms. I can't find a picture of it, but you aren't missing much.

[Greenville]

A whimsical and fun art project/activity created in the 1990s begins in front of the Hyatt Regency. A student project at Christ Church Episcopal School inspired Jimmy Ryan to come up with the idea to place mice in Greenville as a scavenger hunt for children to be involved in the enjoyment of the downtown atmosphere. The idea got past the classroom walls and was made a reality, to the enjoyment of kids of all ages. A bronzed sculpture of the classic children’s book, Goodnight Moon by Margaret W. Brown, starts the fun on the ledge of the Hyatt’s courtyard fountain. The story is about a young bunny rabbit that is compelled to tell every person and thing that he sees or thinks of “goodnight” before he goes to bed. On each page of the book is a recurring little white mouse that children love to find each time the page is turned. Instructions are given at the sculpture to wander down the sidewalks and find tiny bronze mice scattered at various locations along both sides of Main Street. Keep a sharp eye out because they are found high and low!

[GvilleSC]

Since the Hyatt, we all know downtown has come a long way. Here's a few photos of "then" and "now" for comparison purposes. I don't have current pictures of all of the buildings on the website, so if anyone cares to post some more comparisons, be my guest. You can check out Greenville Counties' National Register sites and the source of the 'then' or historic photos here.

Falls Park [WEST END]

Camperdown Way Bridge and falls

Liberty Bridge and Falls

Alliance and Mills & McBayer Cotton Warehouses [WEST END]

Now, the West End Market

Bible Presbyterian Church [CITY CENTER -- Hampton Pinckney]

Being converted into a condo project called "The Hamptons"

Main Street buildings [WEST END]

Today:

Dyer Cottage [WEST END]

Falls Cottage (courtesy of Martin Labar from flickr.com)

Greer-Thompson Building [WEST END]

Today: (source: http://picasaweb.google.com/joshua.d.field...485239673488642 )

[Greenville]

Thanks for posting those comparison photos, GvilleSC! It's great to see the progress our city has made - especially in the West End. Wow!

[gs3]

Cool post GvilleSC! This would make a great thread to keep adding to!

I can't get over the old photos of Falls Park and Falls Cottage......Greenville has come a long way baby!