A home for the ages

Fashion Stylist: Sarah D’Arcey Assistant Fashion Stylist: Heather Nightingale Wardrobe provided by Nordstrom Vancouver

WORDS JOE LEARY PHOTOGRAPHY ALFONSO ARNOLD + SHEILA SAY PHOTOGRAPHY

ur healthcare system O is top of mind in ways that few of us would have anticipated a year ago. Todd Talbot, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation Millionaire Lottery spokesperson, is no exception. He’s worked closely with the foundation for several years, but the importance of his connection to a hospital actively treating COVID-19 patients has never been more relevant. “Certainly the timing [is significant],” says Talbot. “I think people’s focus on frontline workers, hospital workers and our health in general is more relevant now than it has ever been.”

He adds, “Through my affiliation with the Millionaire Lottery and the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, and getting to meet some of the people who have gone through treatment at Vancouver General Hospital—that’s where it really hits home. We tend to take it for granted unless we’re dealing with it, either ourselves or one of our loved ones.”

VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is Vancouver Coastal Health’s primary philanthropic partner, raising funds for specialized adult health services and research for all British Columbians. The Millionaire Lottery tickets support specialized adult healthcare and

Jacket: Marni Shirt: Boss Pants: Valentino Bow tie: Stylist’s own.

research at Vancouver General Hospital, UBC Hospital and GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre.

As the host of television renovation series Love It or List It, Talbot is no stranger to fine home design, and he says the South Surrey lottery grand prize home does not disappoint.

Sprawling over 6,400 square feet in a beautifully appointed neighbourhood with stunning mountain views from the upper levels, this magnificent three-level, four-bedroom abode has a full basement and a legal suite, plus a bar, a media room, a gym and a spa.

It also offers a covered patio with an outdoor gas fireplace, a fully-fenced yard and sundecks. It has four interior fireplaces, a fully-enclosed glass elevator, butler’s pantry with wine cooler, six bedrooms and eight bathrooms, radiant floor heating throughout, motorized blinds and a fully-insulated garage.

In describing some of the notable features included in this spectacular property, the house designer Dag Mothe, of Dag Design & Co., notes that it has an open floor plan incorporated into a “transitional West Coast design.”

“We did a shallow house plan to have lots of light penetrate the house. It has an estate feel from the front, in that it is set far from the street and very wide in width.”

He adds that it’s designed to maximize the view from the front bedrooms, and makes note of the house’s two-bedroom suite with second basement access, as well as its intimate basement entertainment area.

The home was built by South Surrey luxury home builder Asghar Naeem of Falcon Developments.

It’s a prize worth in excess of three million dollars and funds raised from ticket sales—two for $100, five for $175, 10 for $250 or 25 for $500—obviously go to an excellent cause.

Every year, VGH performs more than 30,000 surgeries and treats more than 600,000 patients. The hospital treats 60 per cent of British Columbia’s adult trauma cases; a full 50 per cent of all surgical patients are from outside Vancouver.

The Millionaire Lottery runs until January 8, 2021 or until the tickets are sold out.

“We often take the healthcare services that are provided for granted in our lives,” says Talbot.

“I think especially in Canada we all have a mentality with our healthcare system that we underestimate the care that we get here— unless you’ve experienced it elsewhere in the world in a place that doesn’t have a healthcare system.”

Talbot recalls getting the flu years ago as he was rehearsing for a show in Washington, DC.

“I was in a hotel and I was so sick that I called a cab to take me to the hospital. Through the show, we had medical coverage, but the bills were astronomical and the pressure that it could put on families is shocking.”

He adds: “One reason we don’t have to shell out all that money individually is because of things like the lottery and the foundation which are raising funds all year long.”

Talbot is no stranger to the public eye, especially in his role as both an actor and host of Love It or List It, which recently concluded its run after running five seasons over eight years.

“I decided it was time for me to move on,” he says of his decision.

“As a freelance artist, doing something for longer than six months was a long time. It was a really interesting experience and so many things have spawned off of that.”

Talbot says that his post-TV-series life has given him a chance to reassess.

“I have two young kids and when you’re that busy you sometimes forget that you have to actively make sure that your relationship with your family is top of mind. The time that I have now allows me to stay connected more.”

He also maintains a connection to local real estate, continually keeping abreast of the housing market.

“I’m licensed and have a team of people that work with me to help clients buy and sell. It’s one spoke of a wheel with a lot of spokes to it.”

He adds: “My passion around real estate is really twofold: the investing side of it and the renovation side. It started off as a hobby and it just grew.” And with his real estate background, one wonders, would Talbot relish the opportunity to sell such a property as exists at 16722 McNair Drive in South Surrey?

Sweater: Kenzo Jeans: Todd’s Own

“It would be fun to sell this house,” he confesses. “But frankly, I rather enjoy the opportunity to give them away to supporters of the cause. Our healthcare heroes are fighting COVID-19 at VGH and other hospitals—transforming healthcare and saving lives. That certainly deserves a reward.”