Murray Hill Plaza, 244 Madison Avenue, 12 E Midtown, New York

This expansive two-bedroom, two-bath loft at 244 Madison Avenue belongs firmly in the latter category. Soaring ceilings and oversized windows give the home a wonderful sense of scale and light, while hardwood floors bring warmth throughout. Two sleeping lofts add an unexpected layer of flexibility and character, ideal for guests, a home office, reading retreat or creative space, and an extraordinary amount of closet space keeps everything beautifully out of sight.

At the heart of the home is a renovated kitchen with custom cabinetry and stainless steel appliances, designed to feel equally at home on a quiet morning or when entertaining a crowd. A washer and dryer adds everyday convenience, while two full baths make the layout as practical as it is distinctive. There is an authenticity here that is increasingly difficult to find in Manhattan: the volume and openness of a true loft combined with the comfort, storage and functionality of a well-considered home. A full-time doorman completes the picture.

And then there is the location. From 244 Madison Avenue, some of New York’s greatest pleasures are woven into daily life: the Morgan Library & Museum, Madison Square Park, Whole Foods and Eataly, along with an extraordinary collection of restaurants, shops and neighborhood institutions. Grand Central and Penn Station are within easy reach, as are virtually every subway line you could need. It is a remarkably convenient place from which to experience the city-a light-filled, creative home in the middle of everything, yet with a character entirely its own.