A notorious strip club in Greenville, South Carolina, previously owned by “Platinum Plus” has been reborn as the future home of Hope Church.
It’s been one year since Hope Church purchased the 20,000 square-foot building. Contractors have trashed the interior down to the concrete walls. That includes several poles and other ‘gentlemen’s club’ accoutrement left behind.
Despite it’s past, the building has undergone a profound renovation since its acquisition by Hope Church a year ago.
Hope Church pastor, Rich Butler, said it was “stripped to the concrete- no pun intended” he said.
He added how “It smelled like smoke and a bar,” when they first purchased the building.
Pastor Butler's wife, JoAnna, shared their initial impressions upon entering the building for the first time. "We saw signature items that spoke to its last use- a stage, poles, brash colours, but [we] also saw potential," she recalled.
Rooms once used for ‘private encounters’ have been demolished to make room for a dedicated space for children's activities.
"This is a God-sized dream and vision," Butler said.
The history of Platinum Plus is marked by legal entanglements and controversy. "Platinum Plus had a long history of entanglements with the law since opening in 2000," noted Butler, recalling the troubled legacy of the establishment.
Now, Hope Church stands poised to breathe new life into this once-troubled space, offering solace and sanctuary to those in need.
"A lot of people have been praying for that building," Butler said, underscoring the collective effort that has brought this God-sized dream to fruition.
As the grand opening approaches, Butler invites the community to witness the remarkable transformation first-hand. Just as the former Platinum Plus sign once dominated the skyline, the Hope Church sign will soon shine brightly, a symbol of hope and renewal in the heart of Greenville.