I also walk past the Times building and my curiosity has to do with how the building affects Eighth Avenue. The streets are already congested with office workers, homeless people, tourists who stay in nearby budget hotels and the thousands of people who use the Port Authority Bus Terminal directly across the street. It's strange (in a nice way) to see such a classy building in such a seedy looking area. Will the Times building make the sidewalks even more crowded? Will it gentrify a traditionally rough Manhattan neighborhood? The pristine interiors in Slate's slide show don't show how Times' building is contrast to the surrounding area. That's the most interesting thing about it. If it were on Park Avenue, would it attract the same kind of notice?