The dated facade of a four-story office building will no longer obstruct the view of the Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital’s $80 million Patient Care Center.

Demolition of the 50,000-square-foot, 36-year-old building will be completed by the end of the week, said Michael Cole, director of plant operations.

The site will then be filled to grade and paved, adding 350 spaces to the parking lot’s 1,645 spots.

An additional nine handicapped spaces will also be provided, as well as a garden of reflection that will include landscaping and seating, Cole said.

The building’s removal was planned as the second phase to follow construction and the grand opening of the new 225,000-square-foot center addition completed in 2006. The addition is considered the hospital’s new front entrance and it was previously hidden by the older office building, which was replaced.

Concerns were raised by residents near the hospital over the potential for storm water drainage problems caused by the construction.

A storm-water detention area was required on hospital property by the village’s Plan Commission.

“We would never have been issued a permit had we not taken care of those concerns,” Cole said.

Ed Gervain, vice president and chief operating officer, said removing the building from the front of the new entrance is expected to make the hospital “a more aesthetically pleasing and inviting place” for patients an visitors.

Cole said the last phase of the project begins next week with beautification plans for the site and the hospital campus.

“Now we can move on,” he said.