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The prime minister’s official residence at 24 Sussex Drive has been sitting empty for more than a decade.
When Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a national fundraising campaign for its renovation on Friday, members of the media got a behind-the-scenes tour of the uninhabitable building.
Here’s what it looks like inside.
The residence, built in 1868, has fallen into disrepair due to an unwillingness to spend money on a costly renovation. The entrance to the home is seen here.
(Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
Stephen Harper was the last prime minister to live at 24 Sussex. The kitchen area during his tenure would have looked a lot different than it does now, pictured below.
(Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
In the dining room, door and window casings can be seen wrapped up for storage.
(Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
Because the residence is uninhabitable, former prime minister Justin Trudeau lived in Rideau Cottage, which is the former home to the Governor General’s secretary on the grounds of Rideau Hall. Carney now resides in that house.
At 24 Sussex, the staircase to the second floor can be seen completely stripped down to the wood.
(Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
In 2024, the National Capital Commission said crews had gutted 24 Sussex, removing all the asbestos, lead and mould. They had also stripped out old electrical wiring and plumbing, installed heat pumps and cleared out rodents.
Now, strips of red tape warning of danger can be seen hanging from ventilation tubes in a hallway.
(Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
In the living room, a sign warns the area contains asbestos fibres, which can be harmful to human health.
(Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
Water damage can also be seen on a window ledge in that room.
(Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
The living space has now become a storage area, with doors wrapped up at the sides.
(Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
Alongside the national fundraiser, Carney announced the refurbishment plan will be decided by a design-and-build competition open to Canadian firms. The selected proposal, chosen by a jury, will be announced by Canada Day next year, he said.
- Should Canadians be asked to donate to restore 24 Sussex? App usersTap hereto join the conversation.
