See and I think you're all giving the building too much credit. It would go really well in Portland, Providence, Hartford, Worcester, Manchester, etc. Cambridge wouldn't be inappropriate, and even areas like Longwood are OK. I just don't think this type of building belongs right downtown. We have enough mistakes there already (like all the red residentials in the Pru complex) and this is just one more underwhelming building for what's supposed to be the HIGH spine!
Call me crazy but I was totally ok with the plaza. Some parks/plazas don't make much sense, like the tiny triangle being redeveloped at CSC, but I thought this was a fine spot to have that bit of open space. I guess, like the Harbor Towers residents, I just hate losing my views.
On a somewhat similar vein, in Burlington there used to be an excellent view of the Boston skyline when getting off the 3A (Burlington, not Winchester) exit on 95N. The ramp would loop around and BAM! Marvelous! Then they built a big fat 6 story office building right in that space, and now the view is gone unless you want to risk glancing over right before getting off the exit. I have a friend who works in that building and has the view. Doesn't do me a damn bit of good. Maybe nobody cares, but I like good views and it always annoys me when something mediocre gets in the way of what used to be a spectacular angle.