Five years ago when I bought the exact same /facade/floor plan in the exact same neighborhood, the bank listed it for $95k ...I paid less as it was rather too chewed up for a retail buyer.  

I've seen some leave the front facade (supported w I-beams) and demo everything else.

They market it as good for any building facade, whick it is. 

(BTW- my "day" job is doing architectural planning/ interior design for a retail chain of stores, and I design store facades all the time. 

Sure you can get by on the low end but with those great old buildings you may want to consider accentuating the original features, putting in a decent HVAC, redoing the plumbing and boilers, insulation and maybe even facade work.

Façade signage?

I love all the old Chicago brick buildings with all the intricate facades. 

Around here in rowhouse territory it's pretty common, bad foundations on soft ground, bulging facades, entire buildings leaning on their neighbor.

The building had a beautiful brick facade, and had been built in 1891 by local city leader, Samuel Vaughn.

You can build a false facade style building or even a decorative wall across the frontage of the property so it has the illusion of a nice looking business... with the storage containers stored behind.