Pruchasing mixed use property. Need opinions

[Mathuw Chandler]

Hello all,

I am planning to purchase a mixed use building zoned neighborhood commercial. In the Good Ol Days there was retail on bottom and an apartment on top, the bottom has since been converted to living space. The top currently rents for 550$ month, and could easily rent for more with little cosmetic updated/ changes/. For the bottom as of now i plan to renovate it to be a two bedroom one bath apartment to live in. The bottom was gutted by the person who is selling it. I would like opinions on if i should finish the space and occupy it, or lease the bottom to a retail/office tennant, and occupy the top unit. and what are the best ways to attract commercial/office tennants?

The building is in a dense up and coming neighborhood in South Stlouis, a place where small businesses thrive. The space is about 1,000 SQFT. on each floor.