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Building Type Flats and offices with shops to street _____________________________________________________ Flats and offices with shops to street is a multi-storey building with shops at ground level and offices for a few levels above that, and flats above. There is an entrance to the flats and offices at ground level, these sometimes lead from an arcade. Flats are separate living units, each called a flat, consisting living areas, bedrooms, at least one bathroom and a kitchen or kitchenette. Many flats also have balconies. There is usually one main entrance to the building with a service entrance at the back.. The roof is often used for washing lines and other services. Bachelor flats are units that have one living area that is lounge, dining and bedroom combined with a bathroom and kitchen. Flats can occupy two storeys in which case they are usually called duplex flats. In many places in the world flats are called apartments and this seems to be a new trend in South Africa.