Despite the fact that our love for buildings goes in very different directions, I can confirm what you say here:

It's as if the architects closely studied the character of the area and incorporated it into the design of this newer building. I wish more architects would do this. Take the best elements of the past and blend them with modern visions of form and function.

My husband is an architect and that's what he says when we observe the very same thing. That a good architect always considers the neighborhood and does not trample it down with his ideas, except the dominance is willfully acted out.

I was recently in Prague with him and oh boy, I felt overwhelmed by historical buildings and soon I had enough of them, because they were just too many on too tiny spaces and you wouldn't know where to look first. But actually I still like the very old buildings better, I don't know why. I am old fashioned, I guess (I watch Downton Abbey).
A hobbit house is my favorite. lol