Raines has added Hilton Garden Inn Greenville University Area in Greenville, N.C., to its management portfolio. It is the fourth hotel Raines is managing for Wilmington-based Clarendon Properties. The property is owned by Greenville Ventures, LLC, a collaboration among Clarendon, Co-X Holdings, and Sandlin Investments. It was designed by Ell/A Interiors.
“Our ongoing partnership with Clarendon Properties has been highly rewarding for both parties, and we are thrilled to be working with them once again on Hilton Garden Inn Greenville University Area,” said Grey Raines, managing partner of Raines. “We are also immensely proud to be managing the first hotel in downtown Greenville, fostering growth and opportunity for this community and East Carolina University.”
Located at 423 Evans Street, Hilton Garden Inn Greenville University Area is the first hotel to open in downtown Greenville. It is within walking distance of East Carolina University, the Greenville Museum of Art, Greenville Town Common, Tar River Riverwalk, Greenville Greenway, and Sheppard Memorial Library. Pitt-Greenville Airport is three miles away.
ECU alumni and Co-X Holdings co-founders Paul Adkison and Scott Diggs, investors in the project, were recently on-site. “It was clear to us that downtown Greenville needed a hotel, and the Hilton Garden Inn’s prime location, connecting campus with the heart of the city, fulfills that vision,” said Adkison. “It’s a space designed to be beautiful, serve visitors and become a source of pride for the city. We’re glad to see the vision we had years ago finally become a reality,” said Diggs.
The 101-room property features a fitness center, meeting rooms, a business center, and pet-friendly accommodations. Additionally, the on-site rooftop bar and restaurant, 1717 The Rooftop, is the first rooftop bar and restaurant in the area and offers views of downtown Greenville and the surrounding region.
“At Raines, we believe hotels should be integral parts of their neighborhoods,” said Kerry Ranson, president of operations and partner at Raines. “The Hilton Garden Inn Greenville University Area is designed for everyone—travelers and locals alike. Our rooftop bar isn’t just for hotel guests; it’s for Greenville residents looking to enjoy a bite, a drink, and one of the best views in town. That’s the approach we take with all our properties, and it works. We’re excited to become active members of the Greenville community, hosting events and creating spaces where meaningful connections happen.”
Raines added more than 20 properties to its management portfolio in 2024, including 16 hotels in a partnership with Atlantic Hotels Group. The company plans to continue expanding in 2025.
“Working with the Raines team has been fantastic from day one,” said John Sandlin, managing partner of Sandlin Investments. “They don’t just talk about operational excellence; they deliver it consistently. Their team approaches every aspect of hotel management with clear intention while maintaining a personal touch with each property, focusing on strong revenue and value as they continue to grow. This is exactly what we wanted as investors in this hotel, and Raines’ track record speaks for itself. We’re confident this property will be a successful addition to the downtown Greenville area.”
