Carney launches competition to restore 24 Sussex Drive

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a national design-and-build competition aimed at restoring and modernizing 24 Sussex Drive, the long-vacant official residence of Canada's prime minister.

The historic property, which has served as the prime minister's official residence for more than 75 years, has fallen into critical condition after decades of deferred maintenance and remains unoccupied.

Carney said the project will rehabilitate the residence while preserving its heritage character, transforming it into a secure, accessible, sustainable and functional home and workplace for future prime ministers.

The competition will be open to eligible Canadian firms and will be overseen with advice from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. The institute will help develop the competition framework and assemble an independent jury to evaluate submissions.

The jury will be chaired by renowned Canadian architect Moshe Safdie and will include Carol Bélanger, Nicolas Demers-Stoddart, Omar Gandhi, Mamie Griffith, Patricia Kell and Brigitte Shim.

The winning proposal is expected to be announced by July 1, 2027. The selected team will be responsible for both the design and construction of the project.

The government said the competition is intended to ensure the final proposal is both ambitious and achievable, with a credible construction plan.

To help reduce costs to taxpayers, the Rideau Hall Foundation will lead a national fundraising campaign with the goal of covering all or most of the project's expenses through donations from Canadians and philanthropic organizations.

The federal government described the restoration as an investment in a national landmark that has played a role in diplomacy, public service and major government decision-making for decades.