Outdoor space common in penthouse designs. (Residential).

As demand increases among buyers for outdoor space, more and more developers are designing buildings that feature multiple set-back penthouses, according to Louise Sunshine, CEO of The Sunshine Group, the premiere high-end real estate sales firm and the exclusive sales and marketing agent of Grand Beekman, a new condominium in Manhattan's Beekman Place enclave.

"Many of today's new luxury residences offer unprecedented amounts of outdoor space through increased setbacks and an emphasis on terraces -- creating expansive areas for recreation or entertaining and increasing their overall value," Sunshine said.

Sunshine pointed to Grand Beekman, a new luxury condominium being developed at 400 East 51st St. in the exclusive Beekman Place enclave, as an example of this trend. Grand Beekman offers three full-floor penthouse homes on the 30th, 31st and 32nd floors. The developer, Izak Senbahar, designed the penthouses to be set back from the building's primary facade to allow for sizable terrace space and to enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the condominium. The penthouse on the building's 31st floor, which is available, is 2,700 SF, and offers 923 SF of terrace space, 360-degree city and river views, a fireplace and floor-to-ceiling French windows. Like all of Grand Beekman's 89 luxury residences, it will also feature exquisite design details such as hand-laid herringbone patterned mahogany flooring with ebony borders, marble kitchen countertops and custom limestone bathrooms detailed with polished chrome fittings. The condominiums at Grand Beekman are now 50% sold.