Apparently there's nothing _preventing_ mixed-use buildings. But are there incentives?
Having residential buildings on top of commercial ones is the secret for walkability in many European cities. Grocery shops and other small businesses are usually very close to where you live.
I think (without evidence) that most developers of mid-size apartment/condo buildings would inherently gravitate towards ground-floor retail when it's not banned by zoning (as it often is), because the comparative rarity of that kind of thing in the US would make it perceived as 'fancier' and thereby more valuable.
Apparently there's nothing _preventing_ mixed-use buildings. But are there incentives?
Having residential buildings on top of commercial ones is the secret for walkability in many European cities. Grocery shops and other small businesses are usually very close to where you live.