Yeah, for the price tag alone, nobody is going to want to buy it just to keep the existing building. It would be ground up development.
It's a nice building, but a larger reason for me wanting it to stay has to do with skyline clutter. We already know the Roosevelt Hotel is going to be redeveloped into a very tall building. Standing in the shadow of 270 Park, it could be a bit much for all three to rub elbows. One would really have to jump out in height. But I like the idea of Vanderbilt and 270 having a little elbow room.
Still, it's a prime site on Park Avenue. Despite not having large floorplates, it could be very attractive as a multi-tenant, even boutique office building.
Some more older photos...