SC company proposing controversial $60M mountain inn to establish fund for 6 area colleges

The company behind a proposed $60 million hotel on Paris Mountain near Greenville that has engendered massive resistance from a wide range of people, announced they intend to form a foundation to help six South Carolina colleges and provide culinary arts and hospitality internships to three of them.

One of the institutions — Furman University — said it is not involved. Furman, from which Paris Mountain is visible, also does not have a culinary arts program.

Clinton Colmenares, Furman spokesman, also said the university is neutral on whether the development should be built.

Representatives of Anderson University, Clemson University, North Greenville University, USC-Upstate and Greenville Technical College attended the press conference, which was held Wednesday, two days before the Travelers Rest Planning Commission holds a public hearing on the proposal.

The hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday in City Council chambers.

The Divine Group of Greenville has applied for a zoning change and annexation by Travelers Rest to build a 150-room hotel to be called the Inn at Altamont with a ballroom and event lawn for large events, farm-to-table dining, a resort-style pool and spa, and upscale bars.

The company has also said it would build a public park, eventually to be turned over to the city, on about half of the 40-acre site.

Divine Group Chief Executive Officer Krut Patel said in response to a question from a news reporter that the doubting public will have another chance Thursday to hear about the development, which he believes will increase property values.

He also said he believes Travelers Rest will give them a fair hearing. He declined to speculate about the outcome. The Planning Commission recommendation will go to the City Council, which will make the final decision.

Patel and U.A. Thompson, a minister and activist, made the announcement of the education foundation Tuesday on the site of the proposed inn.

Thompson called it a “glorious and golden opportunity.”

“I believe in the project,” he said. “It’s progressive in a city that’s fast growing.”

The funds would be unrestricted and based on a yet-to-be-decided percentage of net profits from the hotel. A board consisting of local community leaders and members of the developer’s family office would oversee the fund.

Crystal Bulman, who has been outspoken in her opposition to the development, said, “I believe any ‘benefit’ received by our colleges and, ostensibly, current and future students will be minimal, especially in the face of the long-term detrimental costs for all local residents.”

A change.org petition against the development had more than 13,000 signatures Wednesday. An informational meeting held by The Divine Group was attended by some 800 people.

The number of index cards collected at that meeting totaled about 500, with several people saying simply, “No hotel!” Others said “go away” and “what makes you think we want this?”

Calvin Amerding, said in a YouTube video, the park is not a donation because the developer will be paid back over 10 years for development costs, which Divine Group puts at $1 million to $2.5 million according to public records.

South Carolina law requires a minimum investment of $2.5 million for a company to qualify for a fee in lieu of taxes designation.

The petition on change.org charges the development will “irreversibly change the very essence of what makes our town special. Paris Mountain is more than just land — it is a treasured landmark rich in history, a place of peace and serenity, and an escape for residents and visitors alike.”

Casey Copperman, who started the petition, said people are also concerned about drivers leaving wedding receptions and other events after drinking alcohol and driving on the mountain road.

“At night, you can see all the stars. No lights,” she said. Lights from the hotel would change that.

Bicyclists who use the winding road also are concerned about increased traffic.

The annexation application includes a statement from a traffic engineer saying the hotel would not affect roads. The application also includes a wildlife inventory that says it would not affect endangered species.

The developer also hired a company to launch a large blimp-like balloon to rise as high as the hotel would be to see if it was visible from various roads. Photos supplied to the city show a barely visible balloon or not seen at all.

Greenville County has designated the site an Environmentally Sensitive District, which would allow only minimal development and require an analysis of development and its effect on the surrounding land.

This story was originally published April 24, 2025 at 6:00 AM.