Vertical mixed use 

Print
​Design Checklist​

1. Lower levels of the development, particularly at the street front, are reserved for commerical, hospitality and retail uses
2. Upper levels of the development are reserved for office and residential uses
3. Incompatible uses, within the building and across sites, are appropriately separated​

Overview​​

Vertically mixed use developments are more suitable for town centres and major transport corridors, where there is a demand
for street-front retail and commercial activities. ​

There are a number of advantages to vertical mixed use developments, including:

activation of the street edge through ground floor retail and commercial uses;

upper story residential units benefit from improved privacy, access to sunlight and views, whilst also providing passive
surveillance of public spaces;
an increased demand for local services;
easy access to local employment opportunities.​

Vertical mixed use development is commonly seen in town centre areas. It has developed naturally from
the days when business owners had their homes above their shops. These days the uses above ground
are often office spaces as well as low or high-rise apartments (Wellington).
Where commercial and retail spaces are located at ground level, a taller stud height and well designed
shopfront at this level differentiates the ground floor uses from those above. It also helps to enliven the
street environment.

Better Design Practice

Ensure compatibility of uses in vertically organised mixed use developments.​

Ensure activities in vertically mixed use developments are compatible by:

locating retail or hospitality uses on street frontages (especially at street corners) in order to
activate the public realm;
avoiding residential uses at ground level in locations where privacy would be unduly comprimised;
locating one or more floors of office space directly above the ground floor to act as
a buffer between commerical uses at ground level and residential use on upper floors
implementing construction solutions that minimise vertical noise transmission between levels, such
as acoustically treated walls and floors.