When creating models for structures and texturing them - how much thought is being given to making them feel used, worn, and lived-in?
I see some of these concept art images and screen shots - and it's nice to have these picture-perfect structures that look grand and fancy - but I think that a more immersive approach would be to have poorly up-kept structures for the most part.
Pardon the references to real life and real history, but architecturally and aesthetically, this game's world is at least somewhat based on our own medieval period, so ~
In this sort of period, many structures were not very well kept up (maintenance-wise) because it was both costly and labor-intensive and time-consuming without advanced tools to do the "heavy lifting", so-to-speak. This is why I think that giving many of the structures a more lived-in and worn-down look would contribute a great deal toward a feeling of being immersed in the game world, as if we are actually living in it, or a part of it.
Something to think about
If you haven't already, I highly suggest you watch the Making of a City stream. My recap of it is here: https://www.pantheonmmo.com/content/forums/topic/7447/bazgrim-s-11-21-17-stream-recap-the-making-of-a-city and there is a direct link to the VOD inside. It highlights the ridiculous amount of thought and effort that goes into every detail in Terminus. In short, yes, they will absolutely look lived in, except in cases where it makes sense, such as the meticulously tidy elves lol. Rather than comparing to real life history, it's probably best to consider the expansive lore for the world that Istuulamae has created. It indeed is a living, breathing world and lore governs their design decisions, down to the smallest details.
You may also find it interesting to read these articles on how the Elven and Halfling cities are being created:
http://www.pantheonmmo.com/newsletter/2018_february_elves_roundtable/
http://www.pantheonmmo.com/newsletter/2017_october_how_halflings_happened/