An apartment listed as a duplex or a triplex — essentially "anything that combines apartments," can be very attractive, according to Lavrenov.
"Let's say you had an apartment combination of floors 15 through 18 and the penthouse is on 19," he said. "That apartment can be just as attractive as the penthouse and probably even more unique."
Lavrenov pointed to a building he's handled sales for called The Edge, where a 1,800-square-foot penthouse at the top had a duplex layout, "decent" views, and high ceilings. But there was a comparable — and some would say better — option below.
"Interestingly enough, there was an apartment just like that on the seventh floor with a much bigger terrace, same kinds of ceilings, a more unique floor plan, more square footage," Lavrenov said. "... It was just over 2,000 square feet. It was a fantastic duplex, had 20-foot ceilings, 20-foot windows. So that certainly shows the value, that it's along the likeness of what a penthouse would be."