24 Sussex Drive - Architecture and Use

Architecture and Use

24 Sussex is a large limestone structure of 34 rooms spread over four floors, set on 1.6 hectares (4.0 acres) on the edge of the Ottawa River, next door to the French embassy and opposite the main entrance to Rideau Hall. Unlike 10 Downing Street or the White House, it is used almost exclusively as a place of residence; the prime minister's work is carried out in the Langevin Block, near Parliament Hill, though informal meetings between the prime minister and other government or foreign officials may take place in the residence (foreign heads of state on state visits are officially received by the Governor General of Canada at Rideau Hall).

The residence is spread on four floors, from the basement to the third floor. The basement consists of support rooms, including the laundry room. The main floor of the residence includes the dining room, which is used for both official and unofficial dinners, the living room, the kitchen, which is staffed by a head chef and various support staff, the main stair hall, the prime minister's library, and a sun room. The second floor is mostly bedrooms, and includes the master bedroom; however, the prime minister's spouse's office is also on this floor. The third floor contains additional bedrooms, as well as a private study for the prime minister.

The National Capital Commission maintains a selection of historic furnishings from the Crown Collection for use in the public rooms of the mansion, ranging from musical instruments to chairs and tables to paintings by famous Canadians. Due to the lack of restraints on the prime minister of the day to do what he/she pleases with the mansion, several prime ministers have left their own marks on the building; for example, unnamed business associates of Pierre Trudeau installed a swimming pool for his frequent workouts. Being the first to publicly reveal the renovation costs, the high tab for Brian and Mila Mulroney's changes to the building caused political controversy, especially when some of the costs were paid for from the PC Canada Fund, which raised money from individual donations to fund the Progressive Conservative Party.

Since then, very little has been spent on renovating the building, leaving parts of it somewhat tattered and outdated. Most notable is the leopard spot carpet Mila Mulroney put on the staircase, which was only recently removed by the current occupants, Stephen Harper and his family. The house lacks central air conditioning and is cooled by a series of window-mounted air conditioners. In November 2004, Prime Minister Paul Martin complained about the house's heating system. According to his statement, the century-old house gets "too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer." Harper moved in on February 9, 2006, and has said he may move out temporarily during a future summer, so that renovations may be done.

On May 6, 2008, the Auditor General reported that the house is in poor condition and needs about $10 million in repairs and upgrades, which would require at least 12 to 15 months of "full access" to complete.