I liked the design from the get-go but pretty much forgot about this project since progress has been inordinately slow. I agree the historic facade is rather bland for such efforts, but I tend to like their incorporation even if they do sometimes look awkward in their new context. For me a variety of materials and textures at street level provide more interest than the typical modern materials that are used today. What perhaps would have been better is the use of more brick for continuity though. (I just noticed from the renders that they are in fact doing this- in which case it could turn out quite well)