Brooklyn Loft

[bkshambaugh]

I am currently considering moving into a loft space in Brooklyn/Williamsburg. The landlord has said he can only offer me a Commercial lease. However, aside from the groundfloor merchant tennants, the rest of the building is a large artist-type collective living with a residential lease. Is it common for a building to have split zoning restrictions like that? Does it make sense that the commercial lease may be live/work? The landlord is on board with regard to my intention to live there as he has offered considerations in exchange for the intended build-out. :confused:
Any help and advice would be apreciated.
Thanks