CHATTANOOGA — Demolition of the Medical Arts Building on McCallie Avenue in Chattanooga began on July 17, 2026. The teardown marks the start of Phase 2 of a $34 million redevelopment project led by First Presbyterian Church.

The 10-story Medical Arts Building, originally constructed in 1910 for medical offices and designed by architect R.H. Hunt, had stood vacant for years. First Presbyterian Church acquired the structure in 1979 and later determined that renovation was cost prohibitive, according to church officials. The tower had already been emptied in preparation for demolition.

Implosion was considered as a demolition method but was ruled out due to the proximity of adjacent buildings. Instead, conventional demolition methods are being used. The old breezeway that once connected the church to the Medical Arts Building has also been demolished.

Dale Rardin, chairman of the church's board of deacons, is overseeing the project. The construction contract was awarded to the firm EMJ. Phase 1 of the redevelopment, which involved gutting the western wing of the 1926–27 building and constructing new staff offices, has already been completed.

Phase 2 includes tearing down the connector building and removing the 1964 Fellowship Hall, located closer to Eighth Street. In its place, a larger fellowship hall will be built. The architectural firm Rardin and Carroll has designed plans for a two-story replacement annex that will feature a new chapel and a public coffee shop. A new connector will also be built between First Presbyterian Church and the replacement building.