Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a competition for the country's leading architecture firms to revive the historic residence at 24 Sussex Drive. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
The building was found to have nests and vast quantities of rodent feces throughout, taking over the attic, basement and crawl spaces. Decomposing carcasses filled the walls of the decrepit building. Additionally, issues include mold, cracked windows, failing plumbing and an electric system widely seen as a fire hazard.
In 2023, the National Capital Commission (NCC), tasked with preserving heritage buildings in Ottawa, shut down the residence because of the voluminous safety hazards. The following year, it said it had stripped away the asbestos, mold, lead and rodent carcasses, leaving the building empty but with an estimated C$40m cost to fully renovate and upgrade.
Carney told reporters that while 24 Sussex has long been a symbol of the country, it "must also be a home, and the women and men who will lead our country in the future will need a residence for their families." He was adamant that he would never live in the residence, given the starkly contrasting timelines for reconstruction and politics.
"I and all public officials are stewards of the offices we hold. We don't own them. We serve them to serve Canadians and we have a responsibility to leave things better than we found them," he said.
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada will design the framework and bring together an independent jury of experts in architecture, heritage conservation and design, which will recommend the winning design to cabinet. The winning design will be announced on 1 July 2027: Canada Day.
Legendary architect Moshe Safdie, who envisioned many of the country's most acclaimed buildings, will chair the jury assessing design plans. "It's an extraordinary site with extraordinary potential. Something wonderful can be developed here," Safdie said.
Originally named Gorffwysfa (Welsh for "the place of peace"), the sprawling estate has housed 11 prime ministers since the government took it over in 1951. But its shortcomings have long plagued heads of government. Jean Chrétien, prime minister from 1993 to 2003, brought reporters to witness the need for buckets to catch rainwater from a leaky roof. Only after a storm blew off sections of the roof did he finally get the needed repairs.
Last month, former governor general Mary Simon, whose term recently came to an end, said it was inappropriate for a prime minister to live on the grounds of Rideau Hall. But Rideau Cottage, a 158-year-old building meant originally for the secretary of the governor general, was chosen out of necessity for former prime minister Justin Trudeau and his family, given the inhospitable state of 24 Sussex. Carney has continued the tradition, residing at Rideau Cottage.
Carney said: "24 Sussex Drive will be built by Canadians for Canadians." "At a time when much of the world is buffeted by crisis, Canada's history, our institutions and our traditions matter more than ever," he added.