More decorative elements are seen on the flat-roof style building than other commercial types. They varied in height from one to three stories, and most of the two- or three-story buildings used their upper floors as apartments and/or additional commercial space. Decorative features often reflected the Italianate style and usually included:

• brick, stone or metal street façades

• glass storefronts that extended along the ground level of the street façade with doors with transom lights

• recessed entries

• bracketed and dropped cornices

• bay windows

• quoins (found only on the brick and stone buildings)