[drummer]

I think they shot themselves in the foot by not allowing a grocery store there.

I agree that wider isn't better for a couple of reasons. One is views - you can typically see more of the city, sky, etc., with more buildings that are skinnier as the views between the buildings are available. What's interesting with that is that as you walk/drive/bike, you get different views from different angles. This makes cities a bit more interesting in some ways, I think. The other point against really wide buildings it that they're more than physical barriers to ones view, but also to one's ability to get somewhere. Smaller buildings often have, if anything else, sidewalks that allows the general public to pass through their property (especially if there is any sort of retail component). This helps with their business but also creates and more thorough and natural urban grid benefiting pedestrians. A wide building is an impenetrable wall...and we all know how popular those are.