The official residence of the Prime Minister of 24 Sussex may be one of Canada’s most iconic buildings, but a new study says the aging heritage building is “far behind” compared to Canada’s allies.
The report, prepared by the National Capital Commission (NCC), entitled Preliminary Report on Functional Programming, suggests that the residence is “unsuitable for receiving official visitors” and that a new facility dedicated to official government affairs, international diplomacy and visits “presents better branding of Canada as a member of the G7 and a global player.
The report estimates that 24 Sussex, where the prime minister has chosen not to live, needs repairs worth approximately $ 36.6 million. Demolition and restoration, according to NCC estimates, will cost at least $ 40 million.
Although there are no architectural plans, the document outlines what a new, larger facility should look like. It states that the new residence must be at least 15,550 square feet – not counting the specialized security zones – with 76 per cent of the space earmarked for official public use and 24 per cent reserved for the prime minister’s private residence.
The larger space should be large enough to host indoor events for 125 people, have sitting dinners for 30 to 50 people, have commercial and confectionery kitchens (along with preparation areas) and have space for staff. to prepare for his shifts and take a break. Meanwhile, in the private part of the building it is recommended to have four children’s rooms, three guest rooms, at least two offices, a yard and a barbecue, as well as a private apartment with living room and main bathroom.
“This is the furthest we have come in this process,” said Leslie Maitland, former president of Heritage Ottawa. “Before, the NCC was soaked with the idea of doing something on the 24 Sussex building to put the prime minister there. Now they seem to be moving away from that.
Maitland has been following the development of 24 Sussex for years. She said the project was about Canadian pride and the creation of “appropriate places, symbolic of your country and nation.”
When it comes to the heritage aspect of the home and the preservation of the building itself, Maitland said the priority should be to protect and honor the coastal site.
“This is truly one of the most magnificent sights in the region of the national capital,” Maitland said. “It’s a very symbolic landscape.”
Construction of 24 Sussex began in 1867 and was occupied by timber barons for 75 years. In 1949, the federal government bought the property and began what the NCC called “the latest work of an extensive nature.” Two years later, in 1951, Louis Saint-Laurent moved, becoming the first Canadian prime minister to make 24 Sussex his official residence.
“If you look at it as a symbol of one country, it’s a sad symbol, there’s nothing else in that country to treat that way,” said Benjamin L. Shinewald, president and CEO of BOMA Canada.
The report suggests that, like other official residences around the world, Canada has entered a cycle of underinvestment, leading to the building entering a “state of disrepair requiring an infusion of money to remain functional”. So far, between 2009 and 2019, more than $ 6.5 million has been spent on repairs, with 95% of capital investment spent on infrastructure improvements.
“It’s not working right now. “Let’s find a new way and be bold in that,” Shinewald said.
The findings of the National Capital Commission were presented to its board in 2021, but have only recently been made public through a Request for Access to Information.
For now, the information in the report represents opportunities, as no decision has been made on what to do with the building.
Add Comment