Chicago has it, and there's no comparison

I was looking at numerous picture threads of numerous developments going on in several cities, especially sunbelt cities. Chicago's highrise building boom is probably only equaled by Miami and NYC (although in total housing units--including outside of downtown--Miami is far behind), but something has started to cross my mind. It seems like everything being built in these other cities just don't look that impressive. These developments all have this cute, almost plastic look to them. There is no character to them and they don't seem to be creating an urban environment. Many of them have very little regard for the pedestrian. Chicago has had its share of mistakes, but it's a northern, post-industrial city and has that grit that these other towns will never be able to create. Perhaps the palm trees and pink plastic highrises appeal to some, but they just don't say "big city" like Chicago and New York do. Even Chicago's newer highrises, whether modern or art deco looking, just add to Chicago's urban character, with its rigid lines and street grid. But Miami, LA, Atlanta, etc will never have that urban, established, classy, European-esque look that northern powerhouses will (granted they are likely not even going for that look), and they just don't impress me. I am not trying to insult anyone, but does anyone understand what my point is? Sorry, but northern grit is where it's at. Like it or not--but it's true...>