Western Living Magazine
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It’s been carefully renovated, too.
The late, great architect Arthur Erickson designed two homes for the Eppich brothers, Helmet and Hugo, in the late ’70s. We were fortunate enough to be able to profile the first Eppich house—Helmet’s—when it was thoughtfully restored by Battersby Howat (and rescued by homeowners Asaph and Hemsa Fipke).
The epic (no pun intended) property has recently been in the spotlight once again as it makes an appearance in Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie, which hit theatres on September 26.
Back in 2023, the home went on the market for $12,800,000—and superstar architectural photographer Ema Peter captured the home in its glory for a now-defunct home listing.
We hope the new residents are enjoying their new abode, which stars as the lair of the film’s villain, played by Kristen Wiig.
Designed in 1979, the 7,000-square foot glass-and-steel marvel is still owned by its original clients, who also commissioned a complete set of custom furniture by Erickson’s longtime partner and associate, Francisco Kripacz. Eppich himself was a collaborator on the project—his own steel fabrication company created the curving beam supports of the home, a feat not yet seen in residential design. Once it was completed in 1988, Erickson described Eppich II as “my most complete work.”
Before the new owner’s purchase, it was still owned by the Eppichs in 2023, who had done careful renovations and restorations in the years leading up to its sale. In the primary bedroom, for example, the built-in beds were replaced, but the accent walls behind the frame remain.
This article was originally published August 23, 2023. It was updated October 8, 2025.
Anicka Quin is the editor-in-chief of Western Living magazine and the VP of Content for Canada Wide Media. If you've got a home design you'd like to share with Western Living, drop her a line at [email protected]
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