It's so interesting to see such widespread support for preservation on this forum. We're the NIMBYs
In all seriousness, if the need to preserve these buildings are that obvious to us, then I'm hopeful the city and the surrounding neighbors will be adamant that the buildings stay and either be rehabbed or incorporated into the building facade.
And I agree with others here - barring some sort of Mandeville Place type draw-dropper - these existing buildings should absolutely be preserved. And as others have pointed out, SLC's portfolio is very "meh".
Hopefully the city doesn't cave. As much as the city has grown in recent years, I'm sure the city wants this parcel developed ASAP. Next to 1919 Market and Disneyhole, this is probably the most high profile vacant lot in the city.