The building at 1447 N.E. Expressway, near North Druid Hills Road and I-85, opened in 1971 as the Executive Park Motor Hotel. In its later years, the building served as a training facility for BellSouth. In the late 2000s, there was talk of a hotel operator taking over the building and renovating it to reopen it as a hotel, but that hasn't happened. There was also talk of an apartment developer redeveloping the property for hundreds of apartments, but again, nothing happened.
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, which already has a significant presence in the area, and more specifically within Executive Park, purchased the property in January, 2013. The roughly 5.5 acre property was purchased for $9.6 million and allow for both additional parking and a tentatively planned medical office building. Although work is finally underway to level the buildings, the replacement facility situation is said to be "fluid," with a number of options being considered.
A press release from July indicates a renovation was considered, but that the decision was made to demolish instead.
"After a thorough evaluation, Children’s determined that renovation was not a viable option for this building. The current structure, with its outdated construction and design, would not be able to serve any potential future needs of the pediatric health care system."
The main tower is currently being cleared of asbestos and is slated to be demolished via implosion next month. The smaller building adjacent to the main tower is actively being demolished. As you can see in the photo, the smaller building was the original property while the larger, 20-story hotel tower was added in 1971.
There is reportedly no firm timeline for completion of the new campus, but I'd expect to see work completed sometime late next year or early 2016.