With a large portion of people working from home and, therefore, spending more time at home, convenience is key. Many are realizing just how nice it is to have everything they need right outside their door. If you could walk out the front door to find entertainment, restaurants, shopping and even office spaces for those days you want to work outside of the house, it would be perfect!
The best news here is that such places exist — and they’re becoming more popular throughout the nation.
What is a mixed-use building?
A mixed-use building is a structure that combines residential living with other aspects of life, including shopping, dining, entertainment and even work. It contains residential units, like apartments and condos, along with commercial and retail spaces, various types of stores or shops and restaurants.
Mixed-use buildings are designed to create an entire community within a relatively small development, making everything close and convenient for those living in it. They can meet most, if not all living wants and needs within one area.
Types of mixed-used buildings
There are multiple types of mixed-use buildings, each with its own characteristics and pros and cons. Some of the most common mixed-use communities include:
- Residential and commercial buildings, which contain residential units and commercial space such as offices or retail shops
- Live-work buildings, which have both residential units and work spaces such as artist studios or small businesses
- Mixed-use developments, which are large-scale communities that may have multiple buildings located close together and combine residential, commercial, retail and recreation all in one single development
Advantages of mixed-use buildings
Mixed-use buildings offer advantages for residents and even the community outside of the buildings. Some of these benefits include:
- Walkability and accessibility, as residents have access to many shops and services, along with typical apartment amenities without needing to travel far
- A strong sense of community, where there are many shared common areas that make it easy to interact with others in the neighborhood and building
- An improved local economy, since mixed-use developments attract a variety of businesses, which can help to stimulate economic growth by creating local jobs and bringing in visitors from outside of the building
- A sustainable environment that doesn’t require the use of cars and allows for easy access via walking and biking
These are a few of the main advantages of mixed-use buildings, but there are other aspects that might be appealing based on your lifestyle and living preferences.
Disadvantages of mixed-use buildings
There are many advantages to mixed-use buildings and along with them come disadvantages. A few of these are:
- Increased noise and traffic, as mixed-use buildings often attract many people, whether it be residents that live there are visitors who are coming to shop or dine. This may mean that residents deal with lots of noise and some crowds near their homes.
- Higher living costs, since mixed-use buildings can be more expensive to construct and maintain than single-use buildings. While you are getting the convenience of everything nearby, it might come at a cost.
- Less privacy and security, due to the many people that are often coming in and out of the area as they go shopping, dine out and take advantage of the entertainment options in the area.
For some, these disadvantages may not be a big deal and for others, they might be deal-breakers. You’ll have to decide for yourself if the pros outweigh the cons of living in a mixed-use building.
Is a mixed-use building right for you?
Mixed-use buildings are a growing trend in some urban areas, as they offer a variety of benefits for residents and community members.
By combining residential housing, commercial businesses, retail shopping and more all in one place, mixed-use buildings can create convenient communities that meet the needs of residents, businesses and visitors alike. Look at your own living needs and decide if a mixed-use building is right for you!