Despite its current commercial vocation, this house built at the turn of the century has maintained the characteristics of a private home. At the end of the 19th century, it was difficult for builders to erect a mansard roof with overhang beyond the walls.
This challenge led to a change in the construction of roofs incorporating the design popularized by French architect François Mansart. In faux mansard style, like this one, the roof becomes a decorative rather than a structural element.
The structure also has the advantage of providing a constant height throughout the top floor, which wasn’t possible with traditional Mansart-style roofs.