Oh yes, of course they "possess" the energy of the original owner/creator as well as all their previous occupants. It's like second-hand clothes. As much of an environmentalist as I am, I can't imagine wearing such clothes, even though it is one of the conservation solutions. So with buildings one can't afford to always rebuild (though why not lol). The way my life is going, the most I can afford is a shipping container house with second-hand furniture, lol.
I'm not sure I want to visit this city again (there are other places I haven't visited yet and are waiting to be visited), but I still learned to appreciate it in terms of architecture, history, etc.