Close but no. They add a five story wood structure on top of one story of something more solid like concrete. This cost effectively increases space without massively increasing costs over a five story wooden structure.

I think we both read the same thing, and decided that opposite parts of it were the key point,

"The first level capped by the concrete deck is retail, parking, meeting rooms or amenities and the floors above it are apartments, condos, or dormitories erected under the 3A construction type classification of the building model code IBC."

I focused on usage, you focused on construction.

The issue is you can have retail in a wooden building. Which seems like the point of this construction over a 5 story wooden building with retail on the ground floor. 3A limits building heights, but by changing the ground door you are allowed to build a taller structure.

PS: I agree that Retail is a common use for the ground floor of these buildings. But it’s not the only use for the ground floor.