It’s always interesting to go inside a townhouse because you never know what might be lurking on the other side. Is it an immaculately restored pre-war wonder or a modernized white box hiding inside a prewar shell?

The townhouse at 141 West 81st Street definitely falls into the latter category. With a neighbor covered in ivy and a grand Queen Anne facade, it looks like it would be all crown molding and original details all the time on the inside. But instead we get exposed brick, an unusual double-height living room and a kitchen straight out of Star Trek.

“Custom renovated in 2006, this Queen Anne townhouse offers five stories of contemporary luxury. Bold lines, a striking black and white palette, and plenty of natural light excite the eye,” crows the Vandenberg listing. Our eyes are indeed excited by the sight of this.