Westy -
I'm in no way defending the residents of Strada234, but as a former condo owner there, I did want to mention that when the building became luxury condos, the developer's broker (Otis and Ahearn) was assuring buyers that the Lovejoy Wharf buildings could NOT be expanded upon (in height) as a result of some city (or state) ordinance that forbids new construction directly along the waterfront that exceeds 55 feet in height. Since the building already exceeded that height, they said any developer could only remodel the existing building or replace portions of it with shorter structures.
So, I wouldn't equate this to a suburbanite who buys near Route 128 and complains when the leaves are gone and the highway is exposed. In this case, people purchased expensive condos only after practically being promised that a building could NOT block their views (though, I personally think they were stupid to take a real estate broker's word for it since we all know they'll say anything to make a sale). Hell, I think the residents should sue Otis and Ahearn for misrepresentation.
That said, even while I was a resident of Strada234, I was excited about the prospect of Lovejoy Wharf redevelopment (and my unit was faced the Lovejoy Wharf site. This is a prime location for redevelopment and it should be developed. If anything, I think it will HELP resale prices of the majority of Strada234 units facing Lovejoy Wharf (currently, the building houses a methodone clinic on the first floor and is abandoned on all upper levels...I used to watch pigeons fly in ducts/windows). It's an eyesore from the perspective of Strada234.
Plus, units on the 9th floor and below overlooked the existing building already so it's really only going to "block" view for floors 10, 11, and 12. And even then, it's only the units facing the back that will be affected. The majority of the units won't be affected adversely at all.