Canada to Move Forward With Restoration of 24 Sussex Drive
The Carney government is set to announce Friday that it will proceed with the restoration of 24 Sussex Drive, the official residence of Canada’s prime minister, ending years of uncertainty about the future of the historic property. The announcement will address a decades-long debate over what to do with the aging Ottawa mansion.
A Long-Vacant Official Residence
24 Sussex Drive has sat unoccupied for approximately 11 years, its condition deteriorating due to a litany of problems including failing heating and cooling systems, aging plumbing, asbestos contamination, water damage, mold, and even rodent infestations. The residence has also been criticized for its lack of adequate office space and insufficient room for official events and functions.
Despite the building’s disuse, millions of taxpayer dollars have already been spent on renovations to the property while it sat empty. The three-story stone house has not served as a prime minister’s home since 2015.
A Landmark With Deep Historical Roots
Originally commissioned in 1868 by lumber magnate and Ottawa MP Joseph Merrill Currier, the house was first named Gorffwysfa, a Welsh word meaning “place of peace.” The 35-room mansion sits on 2.1 acres overlooking the Ottawa River and is located just a few kilometers from Parliament Hill.
Classified as a Federal Heritage Building, 24 Sussex is one of several prominent government buildings designed in the neo-Gothic style. It served as the official prime ministerial residence from 1951 to 2015, housing a total of ten prime ministers during that period. The property also includes an official guest house, a swimming pool and pool house, security buildings, a detached garage, and areas for small outdoor events.
However, the building has long been a source of frustration for its occupants. Former Prime Minister Paul Martin famously described the conditions as “too cold in winter and too hot in summer.” Heritage advocates have argued that the house’s historical significance and scenic riverfront location — which also provides security advantages — make it worth saving.
Restoration vs. Rebuilding: A Contentious Debate
While heritage advocates are expected to welcome the restoration announcement, some officials familiar with the property’s extensive challenges have argued that it would be more practical and cost-effective to simply construct a new official residence elsewhere. The debate has simmered for years, with successive governments reluctant to make a final decision.
Liberal governments avoided committing to a course of action over the past decade, reportedly out of concern over the political optics of spending tens of millions of taxpayer dollars on a leader’s residence, particularly amid Canada’s ongoing housing crisis.
Katherine Spencer-Ross, president of Heritage Ottawa, wrote in a letter to Prime Minister Carney last fall that 24 Sussex was a “nationally important place that belongs to all Canadians, not one prime minister or one political party.” She has also expressed support for a new addition or separate structure that would be compatible with the existing building and landscape if additional space is needed.
What the Restoration Might Look Like
A key remaining question is whether the government will opt for a modest renovation to simply make the building functional for future prime ministers, or whether it envisions a more elaborate overhaul that would transform the site into a national showpiece.
The financial scope of the project remains unclear, but the final cost is expected to run into the tens of millions of dollars. Five years ago, the National Capital Commission (NCC) estimated that it would cost $36.6 million to restore 24 Sussex Drive to “good condition” — and that figure did not include any major expansions or new construction.
Toon Dreessen, president of Ottawa Architects DCA, has argued that the residence’s deteriorating state reflects poorly on the country. “What does it say about us as a country that our prime minister’s house is in ruins?” Dreessen told the National Post this spring.
Political and Public Reaction
The expected announcement has already drawn mixed reactions. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre expressed skepticism about the project when asked by reporters, suggesting that the focus should remain on addressing homelessness and housing affordability rather than renovating a vacant official residence.
“When I see the homelessness on our streets and the young people who desperately want to start a family but can’t get a house, I just think the last thing we should be thinking about is 24 Sussex Drive,” Poilievre said.
Prime Minister Carney himself has spoken in recent months about renovating 24 Sussex to allow future prime ministers to live there again, but he has acknowledged that the changes will take too long for him and his family to occupy the residence during his tenure. Like his predecessor Justin Trudeau, Carney has been living at Rideau Cottage, located on the grounds of the Governor General’s residence at Rideau Hall, opposite 24 Sussex.
Rideau Cottage itself has had its own challenges. Built in the late 1860s, it was closed by the National Capital Commission in 2022 for health and safety reasons, including a rat infestation.
What Comes Next
The government’s formal announcement on Friday morning is expected to outline the chosen path forward for 24 Sussex Drive. The project will likely face continued scrutiny over its cost, scope, and timing, particularly given high federal deficits and ongoing concerns about housing availability across the country.
For a building that has been a fixture of Canadian political life for more than seven decades — and a private home for more than 150 years — the restoration could mark a new chapter for one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks. Whether that chapter involves a careful historical preservation, a modern expansion, or some combination of both will become clear once the government reveals its plans.
