I understand the argument, but buildings built in a given period are typically typical. If you can’t tear at least some of the typical ones down – this one was built as a parking garage in the 30s? – you get kind of stuck.
So, for example some streets of bog-standard Victorian terraces get listed
I certainly think an argument can be made that zoning can be used to maintain historical character of streets. We even do this in my young neighborhood. However, some ways of doing that work better than others, and this instance seems rather bad. It neither retains the old facade in its original form, nor does it expand with something complementary (like the Guggenheim addition in NYC).
At least it doesn’t set nearby cars on fire.
