Office buildings create business for thousands of people at hundreds of companies in dozens of industries worldwide, according to The BOMA Office Expenditure Index, developed by the building Owners and Managers Association. The cost includes such things as maintenance, utilities, cleaning, security, landscaping, switchboard, reprographics, reception and mail room services. Just as it's getting easier to buy goods and services off the Internet, so is it becoming easier to get ripped off, especially through auction sites. According to the FTC, online auction complaints have gone from 107 in 1997 to 10,700 in 1999. Each shop has a distinctive facade.
Buildings have various setbacks and are different widths.
The end result is a recreation of an old-fashioned downtown shopping district.