Canada Launches Competition to Restore and Modernize 24 Sussex Drive
24 Sussex Drive Rehabilitation Project Moves Forward
OTTAWA — The federal government has launched a national competition to rehabilitate and modernize 24 Sussex Drive, the official residence of Canada’s prime minister, marking the beginning of a major effort to restore one of the country’s most recognizable public buildings.
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the initiative on June 26, saying the project will restore the historic property as a secure, accessible, sustainable and functional residence while preserving its heritage character.
The announcement comes as 24 Sussex Drive remains vacant after decades of deferred maintenance and mounting concerns about the condition of the building, which has not undergone a comprehensive rehabilitation since becoming the Prime Minister’s official residence more than 75 years ago.
A New Future for a National Landmark
Built in 1868 and acquired by the federal government in 1949, 24 Sussex Drive became the official residence of the Prime Minister in 1950. Former Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent became its first resident in 1951.
For more than seven decades, the residence served as the backdrop for key moments in Canadian political history, diplomatic meetings and government decision-making.
The property was designated a Classified Federal Heritage Building in 1986 due to its historical significance and association with Canadian prime ministers.
Today, however, the residence remains unoccupied and in critical condition.
“Good stewardship demands it, Canadians rightly expect it, and the future of our institutions depends on us leaving them better than we found them,” Carney said in announcing the project.
National Design Competition
The government will conduct an independent national design-and-build competition open to eligible Canadian firms.
The process will be supported by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC), which has experience advising on major public projects, including architectural competitions within the Parliamentary Precinct.
The competition jury will be chaired by renowned Canadian architect Moshe Safdie and will include experts in architecture, design and heritage conservation.
The jury’s recommendation will be presented to Cabinet, with the winning proposal scheduled to be announced by Canada Day 2027.
The selected team will be responsible for both designing and constructing the project, ensuring the proposal is practical, achievable and supported by a credible construction plan.
Fundraising Campaign to Offset Costs
To reduce costs to taxpayers, the Rideau Hall Foundation will lead a national fundraising campaign aimed at covering all or most of the project’s expenses.
The foundation, an independent and non-partisan charitable organization, will invite Canadians, corporations and philanthropic organizations to contribute to the restoration effort.
Officials say the campaign is intended to preserve an important national institution while limiting the financial burden on government.
Heritage Preservation and Modernization
The rehabilitation project is expected to balance heritage preservation with modern requirements for security, accessibility, sustainability and functionality.
The government says the restored residence will once again serve as both a working venue and official residence for future prime ministers while maintaining the architectural features that define its historical character.
The project also reflects broader efforts to renew Canada’s public institutions and heritage assets for future generations.
Prime Ministers Have Lived Elsewhere Since 2015
Although 24 Sussex Drive remains Canada’s official prime ministerial residence, no prime minister has lived there since 2015.
Instead, Canadian prime ministers and their families have resided at Rideau Cottage, located on the grounds of Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
Canada maintains six official residences, including both 24 Sussex Drive and Harrington Lake, the Prime Minister’s country residence in Quebec.
The federal government says the restoration project will ensure that one of Canada’s most significant public buildings remains a symbol of democratic continuity, public service and national pride for generations to come.
Source: Prime Minister’s Office, June 26, 2026.
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