There’s an abstractly interesting way in which the aesthetics of building frontages are a positive externality basically because of what you say here, but ofc if the public cares that much they should subsidize pretty facades instead of demanding the developer and thus the tenants fund them

Well, Chicago has an ordinance that parking garages can't look like parking garages. But these apartments are interesting, have angles allowing more residents to have better views and balconies. Nothing worthy of singling them out for contempt.

yeah, and I'll even admit I'm probably a bit of an outlier in how little I care if the building "looks good", but in general ugly home >>> no home