24 Sussex Drive: Companies express interest in renovation project

Sixteen companies have expressed an interest in partnering with other businesses to renovate and modernize 24 Sussex Drive as part of the federal government’s national design-and-build competition for the official residence of the prime minister.

Public Services and Procurement Canada says interested Canadian firms have until Aug. 15 to register their interest in the project. The department says details about the competition will be released this fall.

“Public Services and Procurement Canada will establish the requirements for the design-build competition, under which qualified proponents will develop and submit integrated proposals, including budget and schedule commitments,” the department said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.

No one has lived at the official residence of the prime minister in Ottawa since June 2015, and the National Capital Commission (NCC) closed the historic building to the public in 2022 due to health and safety concerns.

In June, Prime Minister Mark Carney launched a national competition to restore 24 Sussex Drive, with plans for a “design-and-build competition to rehabilitate and modernize” the residence.

According to the Advance Procurement Notice on the Canada Buys website, the competition will be open to Canadian firms, and interested companies will be asked to “demonstrate experience in the design, construction and delivery of complex residential projects.”

“PSPC will establish the requirements for the design build competition, under which qualified proponents will develop and submit integrated design-build proposals, including budget and schedule commitments,” the website said.

“The competition will be open to Canadian firms, ensuring that the renewed residence reflects Canadian expertise, innovation, and craftsmanship while respecting key heritage elements defined by Canada.”

The procurement notice lists companies that are interested in partnering with other businesses for the 24 Sussex Drive project. The 16 companies that have expressed an interest in working with other firms include architecture and design firms.

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The Rideau Hall Foundation is running the fundraising campaign to support the restoration of 24 Sussex Drive. The foundation said last week the fundraising goal is $50 million.

24 Sussex Drive was built in 1867-68 and has been home to 10 prime ministers. The main building includes 34 rooms, as well as another small home at 10 Sussex Drive, a pool house and two RCMP guard houses.

The NCC completed abatement and decommissioning work in 2024 to address health and safety issues and remove “obsolete mechanical, heating and electrical systems.”

Carney currently lives at Rideau Cottage on the grounds of Rideau Hall.

24 Sussex Drive is a classified federal heritage building.

Companies have until Aug. 15 to express interest in 24 Sussex Drive renovation project